* Astronomy

As an update the latest decay date is April 16th.
However, the classified mission is being kept in orbit until September 2006.
The satellite will have to be given several more orbit boosts to keep it alive.

The classified Streak STP-R1 (USA 185) experimental satellite is an Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) satellite to demonstrate technology for future low-earth-orbit satellites and gather information about conditions that could affect future low-earth-orbit spacecraft.
Streak is fitted with just two instruments; an ion gauge and an atomic oxygen sensor.

The classified Streak STP-R1 (USA 185) experimental satellite launched aboard a Minotaur-1 rocket from the Vandenberg test range, SLC-8 on the 23rd September 2005, is expected to re-enter the Earths atmosphere on the 26th March, 2006.


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The Streak STP-R1 (USA 185) was an Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) satellite to demonstrate technology for future low-earth-orbit satellites and gather information about conditions that could affect future low-earth-orbit spacecraft.
Streak is fitted with just two instruments; an ion gauge and an atomic oxygen sensor.

TLE Data:

STP-R1 (USA 185)
1 28871U 05037A 06079.85087699 .00415768 18060-5 25683-3 0 5078
2 28871 096.3306 263.6982 0006590 237.6196 122.4462 16.18012539 28596
1 28871U 05037A 06079.54161207 .00427666 18052-5 26909-3 0 5053
2 28871 096.3311 263.3974 0006603 237.7981 122.2670 16.17761593 28542
1 28871U 05037A 06079.54161207 .00406832 18049-5 25611-3 0 5061
2 28871 096.3307 263.3979 0006545 238.7074 121.3586 16.17756656 28541
1 28871U 05037A 06079.23230011 .00415382 18037-5 26666-3 0 5043
2 28871 096.3307 263.0970 0006236 239.6247 120.4435 16.17494112 28491
1 28871U 05037A 06078.86106654 .00374263 18020-5 24639-3 0 5037
2 28871 096.3300 262.7378 0006796 245.3737 114.6861 16.17141142 28435

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The first stage vapour trail
Photo by Robert Gonsett


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Corkscrew vapour trail as seen from San Diego.

The Minotaur rocket carrying a DARPA payload launched at 02:24 GMT from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Arizona, US.
After blastoff, the rocket was tracked over the Pacific.
DARPA is the research and development arm of the Pentagon. The 417 kilogram "Streak" payload will stay in orbit for a year, gathering information about the `Earth's environment` in low orbit. according to Maj. Todd Fleming.
The mission's cost is classified.
The military research satellite payload was so named because of the streaking movement it makes across the sky.