In addition, the Zarya web site carries information on other countries' efforts in space. There are also sections covering radio satellite tracking frequencies, and satellite orbits.

"Zarya" (Sunrise) was the radio call sign adopted by Sergei Korolyov for the Baikonur-based mission control when Yuri Gagarin went into orbit. The name has persisted, and endured as part of space history. For many years, Zarya remained located at the Baikonur cosmodrome but in 1973, for the Soyuz 12 mission, Spaceflight Control Centre (TsUP), from where many satellites are tracked and controlled, was moved to Kaliningrad, near Moscow. Following break-up of the Soviet Union, Kaliningrad was renamed Korolyov.

Zarya was also the name actually painted on the side of the first space station to reach orbit, even though the station's name was changed to Salyut shortly before launch. The name Zarya now adorns the first element of the International Space Station (ISS), that was launched into orbit by Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome 1998 November 20.

The secondary school that I attended in the 1960s was Kettering Grammar School in the County of Northamptonshire, England. There I met the Senior Science Master, Geoffrey Perry. Geoff introduced me to the science of radio-based satellite tracking, with particular emphasis on launches from the Soviet Union.

From this, you will realise what still drives me today. It is the thrill of the unknown and the detective work needed to turn what used to be a few bleeps, but now more likely to be a spectrogram or a data file, into a new fact about someone or other's satellite.

Tip: If you are looking for a particular satellite or spacecraft, eg - USA 179, then use quotes in order to keep the series name and number together - "USA-179".