So, usually a few days after every launch, I go out and check out the published TLE data for each satellite, made public courtesy of CelesTrak. It generally includes all the orbital parameters for each satellite, and more importantly, the rocket body, as I like to see how accurately SpaceX places their payloads into the predetermined orbits.
However, for the launch of DSCOVR, no TLE (or more correctly, an incomplete TLE) has been published for either. Plugging in the International Designators for DSCOVR and the Falcon 9 R/B (which are 2015-007A
and 2015-007B
, respectively) into the SatCat search form, which I acquired from the raw SatCat database here (warning, large text file), returns this:
No TLE found
Furthermore, this is reflected on the n2yo.com tracking site, which does not show any orbital path for DSCOVR or the Falcon 9 R/B.
Why is this? Is it simply a case of the TLE having not been published yet, or will they not publish it as it is beyond Earth's SOI (which is not technically true, the Falcon 9 R/B is in Earth orbit still).
If they don't track objects beyond Earth's SOI, how does one follow their orbital positions?