Testing of Luch-5V Begins Using PRN 140
5 August 2014
The L-band SBAS transponder on the third Luch Multifunctional Space Relay System geostationary satellite, Luch-5V (“v” is the third letter of the Russian alphabet), launched on April 28, has started test transmissions using PRN code 140.
The satellite is positioned at 95° east longitude and completes the Russian three-satellite SBAS constelltion for the System for Differential Corrections and Monitoring. Stations in the IGS tracking network first noticed the signals on July 15, but it wasn’t clear where they were coming from. This is because the satellite is not yet transmitting its position and PRN 140 has also been used by the first Luch satellite, Luch-5A, although it hasn’t been heard from recently. It was expected that Luch-5V would use PRN 141, also assigned for the Luch satellites by the GPS Systems Directorate.
By using the pseudorange measurements recorded by the IGS stations and the orbit positions of both the Luch-5A and Luch-5V satellites derived from NORAD 2-line element sets, it was confirmed that the PRN 140 signals were indeed coming from Luch-5V.
The Luch-5V signals have been noted on a few subsequent days but with a very large clock offset from GPS System Time.
Source
The satellite is positioned at 95° east longitude and completes the Russian three-satellite SBAS constelltion for the System for Differential Corrections and Monitoring. Stations in the IGS tracking network first noticed the signals on July 15, but it wasn’t clear where they were coming from. This is because the satellite is not yet transmitting its position and PRN 140 has also been used by the first Luch satellite, Luch-5A, although it hasn’t been heard from recently. It was expected that Luch-5V would use PRN 141, also assigned for the Luch satellites by the GPS Systems Directorate.
By using the pseudorange measurements recorded by the IGS stations and the orbit positions of both the Luch-5A and Luch-5V satellites derived from NORAD 2-line element sets, it was confirmed that the PRN 140 signals were indeed coming from Luch-5V.
The Luch-5V signals have been noted on a few subsequent days but with a very large clock offset from GPS System Time.
Source
23.03.2015
