Following the first apogee boost, the mean elements had an apogee of 1395.6 km. The first apogee in the new orbit was at 0111:20 UTC, with an standard height of 1400.0 km (moment of maximum distance from geocenter); the max geoid height was 1408.3 km at around the same time.
- Following the first apogee boost, the mean elements had an apogee of 1395.6 km. The first apogee in the new orbit was at 0111:20 UTC, with an standard height of 1400.0 km (moment of maximum distance from geocenter); the max geoid height was 1408.3 km at around the same time.
The above values were derived using the Space Force TLE and applying the SGP4 algorithm.A second TLE set from Space Force with a later epoch gives very slightly lower values (1399.5 km and 1407.8 km respectively).For comparison, the best data I have for Gemini 11 suggests an apogee of 1374.0 km (standard height) with a geoid height maxium of 1377.9 km. However this is not an SGP4 dataset and perturbations are not taken into account - could be 2 km off. Clear that Polaris Dawn was higher.
