--%>

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 : Describe Solar water heating Solar

    Solar water heating: Solar water heaters are simple, reliable, famous and widespread. They are probably the Low Carbon technology closest to being commercially practised. The most efficient designs concentrate solar radiation onto a small diameter tub

  • Q : What is basic SI unit of electric

    basic SI unit of electric current is termed as Ampere: A (after A.M. Ampere, 1775-1836) The basic SI unit of electric current, stated as the current that, when going via two infinitely-long parallel conductors of v

  • Q : Formula for acceleration What is the

    What is the appropriate formula employed to compute the acceleration? Explain in brief.

  • Q : Describe the applications of the nmr

    Briefly describe the applications of the nmr spectroscopy?

  • Q : Define Ehrenfest paradox Ehrenfest

    Ehrenfest paradox (Ehernfest, 1909): The special relativistic "paradox" including a fast rotating disc. As any radial segment of the disc is perpendicular to the direction of motion, there must be no length contraction of the radius;

  • Q : Steps to the scientific notation

    Illustrate the steps to the scientific notation? Briefly illustrate the steps.

  • Q : Explain Fizeau method Fizeau method (A.

    Fizeau method (A. Fizeau, 1851): One of the primary truthfully relativistic experiments intended to compute the speed of light. Light is passed via a spinning cog-wheel driven by running water, is reflected off a far-away mirror, and

  • Q : Define Zeeman Effect or Zeeman line

    Zeeman Effect: Zeeman line splitting (P. Zeeman; 1896): Zeeman Effect is the splitting of lines in a spectrum whenever the source is exposed to the magnetic field.

  • Q : Define Rayleigh criterion or resolving

    Rayleigh criterion: resolving power: The criterion for determining how delicately a set of optics might be able to differentiate. This  starts with the supposition that central ring of one image must fall on the first dark ring of the other; for

  • Q : Define Uniformity principle Uniformity

    Uniformity principle (E.P. Hubble): The principle which the laws of physics here and now are not dissimilar, at least qualitatively, from the laws of physics in preceding or future epochs of time, or somewhere else in the Universe. This principle was