--%>

Problem on spacecraft

Assuming that ground stations are equally distributed on the Earth, how many ground stations are required to maintain constant contact with a spacecraft at 750 km altitude, and 72 degrees inclination?

E

Expert

Verified

Given:

θ (theta) = 72°, Perpendicular distance of spacecraft=750 km.

We know that, 1° = π/180 radian, Radius of earth=6400 km. 
So, 72°= (72*π)/180 radian,
           = 2*π/5
Since,
θ = Arc/Radius,

Therefore, Arc = θ*Radius,
                      =2*π*750/5,
                      = 300π

Circumference of earth = 2*π*Radius
                                  = 2*π*6400

No. of space station = Circumference of earth/2*Arc
                             = (2*π*6400)/(2*300*π)  
                             = 21 space station (approx.)

   Related Questions in Physics

  • Q : What is Hubble constant Hubble constant

    Hubble constant: H0 (E.P. Hubble; 1925): The constant that determines the relationship among the distance to a galaxy and its velocity of recession due to the growth of the Universe. As the Universe is self-gravitating, it is not trut

  • Q : Explain Correspondence limit or

    Explain Correspondence limit or Correspondence principle? Correspondence limit (N. Bohr): The limit at which a more common theory decreases to a more specialized theory when the situations that the

  • Q : Define Stefan-Boltzmann constant

    Stefan-Boltzmann constant: sigma (Stefan, L. Boltzmann): The constant of proportionality exist in the Stefan-Boltzmann law. It is equivalent to 5.6697 x 10-8 W/m2/K4.

  • Q : What do you mean by the term crest What

    What do you mean by the term crest? Briefly illustrate it.

  • Q : Secondary electron image and back

    What is main difference between secondary electron image and the back scattered electron image? State briefly.

  • Q : Define Joule or SI unit of energy Joule

    Joule: J (after J.P. Joule, 1818-1889): The derived SI unit of energy stated as the quantity of work done by moving an object via a distance of 1 m by exerting a force of 1 N; it therefore has units of N m.

  • Q : Define Sievert or SI unit of dose

    Sievert: Sv: The derived SI unit of dose equivalent, stated as the absorbed dose of the ionizing radiation multiplied by internationally-agreed-upon dimensionless weights, as various kinds of ionizing radiation cause various kinds of damage in the liv

  • Q : Information in physics What do you mean

    What do you mean by the term information in physics?

  • Q : Define Singularity Singularity : The

    Singularity: The center of a black hole, where the curvature of space-time is maximal. At singularity, the gravitational tides deviate; no solid object can yet theoretically survive beating the singularity. Though singularities usually predict inconsi

  • Q : Define Parsec Parsec : The unit of

    Parsec: The unit of distance stated as the distance pointed by an Earth-orbit parallax of 1 arcsec. It equals around 206 264 au, or about 3.086 x 1016 m