Sky-Eye I Tracking And Recovery OPLAN 2001-1 (Change 1)
By Norm Styer, AI2C, Clarkes Gap, Virginia, 2100 Hrs, July 18, 2001
1.  GENERAL.   This Operation Plan setsforth the scheme for tracking and recovery of the Sky-Eye I Flight to be flown on Saturday, July 21, 2001 by the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group of Loudoun County, Virginia. Also see Mission Control Procedures
2.  ORGANIZATION.
TR-1  KC1YC and KG4KZZ
TR-2  K4LJH
TR-3  N3GMW and K4AJA
TR-4  KF4TJI and KF4TJJ
TR-5  NA4MA and KG4AVR
TR-6  AI2C and WB4AEJ
TR-7  KD5CTJ		 TR-8  WA4TSC
TR-9  N4OHE and W4AU (Mission Control)
TR-10 WB9RXJ
TR-11 WB3AKD
TR-12 W4POF
TR-13 WA9LAZ
TR-14 KG4L and KE4FYL
3.  MISSION. Establish tracking sites and stations,  establish and maintain communications with Mission Control, maintain constant bearing to flight package, monitor flight telemetry, report tracking data  to Mission Control, continuously update predicted landing zone, determine the landing zone, organize search teams, search the landing zone, acquire signal from downed payload, coordinate maneuvers to locate and recovery Sky-Eye I.
4.  CONCEPT OF OPERATION. This is a fast moving five phase operation: Pre-Launch, Launch, Flight Tracking, Search and Locate, and Recovery. It is anticipated that this flight will last about 2 hours and speed and accuracy is essential to successful recovery. Mission Control will be in the best position to assess the overall situation and provide timely direction, particularly during the decent phase of the flight when repositioning Rovers and free Tracking Teams must be done in a timely manner.
       4 a. Pre-Launch Phase. Tracking Teams deploy to initial positions, establish tracking capabilities and communications with Mission Control, and report position and readiness.  Tracking Teams are to be operational and in communications with Mission Control by 0915 hours local time.

       4 b. Launch Phase.  The Launch Team and Mission Control will coordinate and broadcast the launch. The launch window is 0930 to 1000 hours local time.

       4 c. Flight Tracking Phase. Tracking Teams will report initial Acquisition Of Signal (AOS) and magnetic bearing information to Mission Control. Mission Control will rebroadcast each report to all, continue to coordinate 'timed' bearing reports from all Tracking Stations, and provide all stations with Flight Path and Estimated Landing Zone Assessments. Tracking Teams will be directed by Mission Control to maneuver to new sites as the flight progresses. Selected 'Rover Tracking Teams' will be directed by Mission Control to reposition as the Landing Zone Assessment become clearer. Selected Tracking Stations will be directed by Mission Control to remain in place and continue to track and report flight bearing data.
      4 d. Search and Locate Phase. TR-6 and Mission Control will coordinate and organize a search of the predicted Landing Zone by directing TR Teams to maneuver through selected search areas along selected roads and street. Tracking Teams will continue search as directed until the signal of the downed payload is reacquired. Search areas will be selected to insure coverage by 3 by 3 mile square areas. Three miles is generally the outer limit of reception of a downed payload. The first Tracking Team to reacquire the signal will remain in place, report the bearing, signal quality and telemetry data on the health of the payload to Mission Control and TR-6, and then continue to remain in place and maintain reception of the payload reporting any status periodically. At this point other Tracking Teams will be directed to move toward the reported reception area.
     4 e. Recovery Phase. Once the signal has been reacquired, the Recovery Phase begins and all Tracking Teams will maneuver to recover the payload. TR-6 or other designate TR will coordinate the local search to the landing  site. After all Tracking Teams have arrived at the landing site, a payload recovery effort will be initiated.
5.  INITIAL POSITIONS. This initial positioning is based on the assumption that there will be a general west/northwest to east/southeast flight path and that the launch site is at Rocky Gap State Park on I-68 east of Clumberland, Maryland. This could all change up until Launch minus 12 hours. It is assumed that the night before 0000Z Sounding Data will hold for similar conditions in the morning; otherwise, the launch may be postponed due to unpredictability of the flight path and need to replan positioning the launch site and the Tracking Teams accordingly. Several sites are essential to insure the limits of the landing area are known. See Annex A: Map of Numbered Tracking Sites. 

Fixed Tracking Sites:
Site # 10: TR-2 K4LJH in Hamilton.
Site #9: TR-9 Mission Control - N4OHE and W4AU in Bluemont.
Site 12: TR-8 WA4TSC.
Semi-Fixed Tracking Sites:
Site 6: TR-4 KF4TJI and KF4TJJ (On Sugarloaf Mountain).
Rover Tracking Team Sites:
Site 6: TR-5 NA4MA and KG4AVR.
Site I-68 East To I-70 and On Eastward: TR-1 KC1YC and KG4KZZ.
Site I-68 East To Route 522 and South Toward Winchester: TR-14 KG4L and KE4FYL.
Initial Tracking Team Positions:
Site 4: TR-13 WA9LAZ.
Site 8: TBD
Site 1: TBD.
Site 2: TR-3 N3GMW and K4AJA
Site 3: TR-10 WB9RXJ.
Site 5: TR-6 AI2C and WB4AEJ.
Site 7: TR-7 KD5CTJ.
Site 13: TBD.
Site 11: TBD.
6.  COMMUNICATIONS. Communications discipline is essential. Transmissions will be short and to the point. Relay stations will be necessary or a station may need to reposition to maintain communication. If station operators have nothing to report or can't assist with the immediate situation then please standby and monitor the situation.

Specific operational and payload radio frequencies are specified in the Mission Control Procedures.

Generally, until the local search phase begins, Mission Control will be the Net Control Station. Both HF and 2-Meter FM communications will be used.  If a local search is necessary, then TR-6 or other designate TR will coordinate the search on 2-Meter FM. Any TR should be prepared to assist in coordinating search operations.
7.  ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICS. Tracking and Recovery Teams need to be equipped with direction finding antennas,  a compass, FM receiver and a separate 2-Meter FM and/or HF radio to communicate with Mission Control or TR-6. Each TR needs a copy of the map at Annex A, and also, road and street level maps of the potential landing areas in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
7.  SAFETY. Selecting and using local sites, maneuvering on local roads, and actions at the recovery area must be done with care. Don't stop in or use road areas to conduct tracking. There are many semi-public locations like fair grounds, school parking lots, large shopping center parking lots, and farming areas that may be used safely. Stay away from sites where metal objects including your vehicle will disturb you antenna pattern. Don't operate near overhead power lines. When in doubt, don't do it. Use an assistant to drive or do the communicating or monitoring on the radio.
9.  ANNEX A.  Map Of  Tracking Sites.

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