Ralphie and Sparkie launch December 10th

Ralphie and Sparkie, a pair of satellites from the University of New Mexico are presently scheduled to launch as part of the Boeing Delta 4 Heavy Lift Launch demonstration for the USAF from Cape Canaveral.

Launch is currently scheduled for 1931 UTC on 10 December 2004. The two satellites will be ejected while the Delta 4 coasts in a parking orbit approximately 100x135 nautical miles high with a 28 deg inclination.

The satellites will conduct a technical investigation to demonstrate packet radio for inter-satellite links using a frequency of 437.5 MHz.

Due to the low orbit, it is anticipated that re-entry will occur within one to two weeks.

73 Trevor M5AKA

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