[continued from previous message]   
      
   measured a mirror diameter somewhere around 3 meters, roughly 10 feet   
   across. "I am not sure what mirror size is used in USA 314 because I   
   haven't gotten many good images of it so far," said Schöfbänker.   
      
   Different kind of design   
   Another spacecraft that has caught Schöfbänker's attention is an unknown   
   type.   
      
   "In July, I managed to get a look at a satellite called 'USA 290' which   
   is suspected of possibly being another KH-11. But my image shows a   
   different kind of design, which doesn't look like a typical KH-11. My   
   image shows a large, roughly 5 meter long rectangular panel. Another   
   fact that supports my idea is the strange orbit this satellite is in.   
   KH-11s are launched into Sun Synchronous orbits. USA 290 wasn't,"   
   observes Schöfbänker.   
      
   Sun synchronous orbits make sense for an optical imaging mission like   
   the KH-11, since they pass over an area at the same time every day.   
      
   a grainy, grey spacecraft against a black background   
      
   Unknown type of spacecraft. Perhaps another KH-11 of different design.   
   (Image credit: Felix Schöfbänker)   
   A few possibilities   
   Schöfbänker said there are a few possibilities as to what this panel   
   could be.   
      
   A radiator which would work as a cooling system for a possible infrared   
   imaging system is one idea. Or perhaps it's a phased array antenna that   
   could be used for SAR imaging or signal intelligence.   
      
   Maybe it's a solar panel, Schöfbänker continued, "although I think it's   
   less likely due to the fact that the panel seems to be fixed on the rest   
   of the structure. So tracking the sun would require moving the entire   
   satellite."   
      
   Safe to say   
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   Given his expertise and sky watching gear, are there any worries about   
   spilling the beans on how highly classified spacecraft look and work?   
      
   "I don't think that most countries would be too concerned about amateurs   
   like me imaging their spacecraft, since most big countries have their   
   own observatories dedicated to this kind of imaging," Schöfbänker   
   responds. "And considering how much more budget is available for these,   
   it's safe to say that they have images with magnitudes of better quality   
   than what I can achieve."   
      
   More of Schöfbänker satellite sleuthing images are available on his   
   profile at astrophotography site Astrobin.   
      
   Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions,   
   night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment,   
   let us know at: community@space.com.   
      
   Leonard David   
   Leonard David   
   Space Insider Columnist   
   Leonard David is an award-winning space journalist who has been   
   reporting on space activities for more than 50 years. Currently writing   
   as Space.com's Space Insider Columnist among his other projects, Leonard   
   has authored numerous books on space exploration, Mars missions and   
   more, with his latest being "Moon Rush: The New Space Race" published in   
   2019 by National Geographic. He also wrote "Mars: Our Future on the Red   
   Planet" released in 2016 by National Geographic. Leonard  has served as   
   a correspondent for SpaceNews, Scientific American and Aerospace America   
   for the AIAA. He has received many awards, including the first Ordway   
   Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History in 2015 at the AAS   
   Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium. You can find out Leonard's latest   
   project at his website and on Twitter.   
      
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   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)