Hey, Jim:
  Here's more data re the satellite tracking program I mentioned 
last time (plus a bit of other related stuff).  On a local BBS, the 
latest version is titled SOP9517.ZIP, which means "STS Orbit Plus, 
version 9517 [released the 17th week of 1995]).  It's much more 
powerful than the 1993 version (also very good) which was listed on 
a local BBS under SATALITE.ZIP.  (Wrong spelling, I know, but that's 
how it was listed.)
  You may also want to look for another program called TLEMOP.ZIP, 
by the same author.  It allows the user to clean up and edit (to 
"mop" up, to use the author's words) the "TLE" files that the 
tracking program uses.  A TLE is a "Two-Line Element", which is the 
raw data from which the tracking program calculates where each 
satellite is located.  You'll notice that the main program's ZIP 
contains a file with a .TXT extension.  In this file are 2-line 
descriptions of a variety of satellites (each listing data about 
elevation, brightness, angles, orbits, etc.)  Each 2-line 
description is called a "TLE".  TLE's are a standard in the 
satellite world, and can be obtained from various NASA, Aerospace 
and other sources, including the BBS of the author of the program.  
(It's best to obtain the latest TLE's, since you'll get a more 
accurate display of orbits using last week's TLE's versus last 
year's.)  In fact, at the end of this message, I've enclosed a 
copy of some info recently mailed to me by a friend who's into 
satellite monitoring.  It's a list of Internet sources; apparently 
you can e-mail these places via the Internet and get onto their 
"mailing list" - which means they'll regularly e-mail you the latest 
TLE's for all kinds of satellites, in the standard TLE format that 
you can feed right into the satellite tracking program!
  (Note that I haven't yet tried these sources or their mailing lists,
so I have no reports or comments to offer you about any of them.)
  Also, following the satellite and TLE info sources at the end of 
this message, I've cross-posted a recent status-report I found on 
Fido's National Shortwave Echo, which you may not have seen.  It 
concerns the current Mir mission, with American Astronaut John Blaha 
on board.  In fact, he's been downlinking voice comms on 145.200 
Mhz, which my friend has personally heard (I *think* that's a 
2-meter Ham freq that Blaha actually uses on board the Mir; but it 
may be a local Ham re-broadcast of transmissions heard on another 
freq.  Perhaps someone else on this Echo can confirm this.)
  I should mention that I'm no expert on satellite stuff: monitoring 
or otherwise.  Not in the slightest.  In fact, I've done extremely 
little satellite monitoring - and the little I've heard has been on 
2-meter Ham re-broadcasts of aerospace downlinks.  But, I've always 
been interested in astronomy, radio, geo/mapping and computer 
graphics, which is how I stumbled across the tracking program - and, 
once again, it *is* fantastic.  (Best of all, the author doesn't even 
require payment!  He says he'll accept donations if you want to send 
them, but otherwise the program is free!)  Overall, though, I 
probably won't have any other answers to any other satellite 
questions you may have.  In fact, you may already know tons more 
about satellites [and this tracking program] than I do; if so, RSVP, 
since I may have some questions to ask you.  In any case, try asking 
around the Fido Echos first and - if that doesn't work - feel free 
to try me again, and I can ask around to a local friend who may have 
some hints.  (I even sent him an e-mail asking him to reply to your 
post on this Echo - but, he's very busy, between 5 kids and a fair 
amount of travel, so it may be a while.)
  Well, dude, I hope this helps and keeps you busy for a while!  
Happy monitoring (and don't forget me when you hit the LOTTO!!)
Cheers, Frank
... I am Homer Simpson of Borg.  You will be assimil... Ooohhh!  Donuts!!
  -----------  SOURCES OF SATELLITE & TLE (2-LINE ELEMENT) INFO ------------
 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE - AMSAT.ORG Mailing Lists:
 ANS: News releases from AMSAT News Service.
 KEPS: Elements for satellites of interest to radio amateurs.
 NASAINFO: Info about current and planned NASA space missions.
 SAREX: Info and press releases pertaining to SAREX missions.
 To obtain any of these services, send message to: listserv@amsat.org
 Send requests free format. Specify: mailing list(s) you want to receive;
 Your callsign, if any; Internet address to be used (if different from
 your "From:" header.
 
 SeeSat-L (satellite observers forum):
 Send message "subscribe"
 to: seesat-l-request@iris01.plasma.mpe-garching.mpg.de "subscribe".
 
 Jonathan's Space Report (weekly):
 auto email distribution, subscribe to:
 majordomo@head-cfa.harvard.edu, any subject, message: :subscribe jsr"
 
 To subscribe to Shuttle Elements Mail List, send message:
 "subscribe shuttle-elts" to "listserv@ucsd.edu".
 
 SHUTTLE ELEMENTS - send message to:
 listproc@spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov
 subscribe STSTLE {your name}
 Your return e-mail address used for mailing.
 
 NASA press releases:
 To subscribe, send message: subscribe press-release
 to: domo-admin@hq.nasa.gov
 
 SHUTTLE STATUS REPORTS and KSC news releases.
 Send separate e-mail msgs to: domo@news.ksc.nasa.gov
 body of message: "subscribe shuttle-status" or "subscribe ksc-press-release"
 "unsubscribe shuttle-status" or "unsubscribe ksc-press-release"
 KSC-only releases, no duplication with NASA HQ news-release list server.
 
  ------- RE-POST OF MIR MISSION STATUS FROM FIDO SHORTWAVE ECHO -----------
          (Note the use of DDMMYY, i.e., 03-12-96 = Dec 3, 96)
 Msg#: 9929 *SHORTWAVE*
 03-12-96 15:32:08
 From: Chris Vandenberg
   To: All
 Subj: MIRNEWS.337
  
  MIRNEWS.337                        3 DECEMBER 1996
  
  1st Spacewalk (EVA) crew 22d Main Expedition (M.E.) MIR:
  
  Korzun and Kaleri did this EVA on 2.12.1996 between 1554
  and 2151UTC (duration 5 hrs. 57 mins).  They had to
  deploy and connect cables to the American solarpanel on
  the outersurface of Kvant-1.  They accomplished their
  task successfully and  without problems.  The solarpanel
  has been checked and can deliver a current of 80 Amperes. 
  When MIR  for the first time came within our range (orbit
  61636, 2015-2022UTC) the cosmonauts were still working
  near the Sofora girder.  Somewhat later they returned to
  the airlock. During the 2d pass for our position (orb.
  61637, 2149-2159UTC) Korzun reported the closure of the
  hatch at 2157UTC.  Regularly John Blaha could be heard in
  contacts with TsUP and the cosmonauts.  Inside the MIR-
  complex he assisted the cosmonauts, checked systems and
  executed commands  given  to him by TsUP. 
  While Korzun and Kaleri were still in the airlock to
  equalize the airpressure Blaha  in coordination with TsUP
  loaded control-data in the central computer.   
  On 3.12.1996 at abt. 0108UTC, everybody,  your scribe
  inclusive,  though tired  but satisfied, went  to sleep.  
  
  2d EVA 22d M.E.:
  
  This EVA is on schedule for 9.12.1996.  During this EVA
  Korzun and Kaleri will have to accomplish the following
  tasks:
  
  1st: The mounting of Rapana on the 3d  trussconstruction
  at the outersurface of the Kvant-1 module:
  2d:  The installation of a new Kurs-antenna on the
  transitionsection (P.Kh.O.).
  
  
  Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202
  Maximus 2.01
  Origin: Scoop BBS (The Netherlands) +31-33-2996366 (2:500/202)
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