--%>

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 : Branches of physics Briefly list out

    Briefly list out the name of all the branches of physics?

  • Q : Define Constancy principle Constancy

    Constancy principle (A. Einstein): One of the postulates of Sir Einstein's special theory of relativity that puts forth that the speed of light in vacuum is computed as similar speed to all observers, in spite of of their relative mot

  • Q : Define Systeme Internationale d'Unites

    Systeme Internationale d'Unites (SI): The rationalized and coherent system of units derived from the m.k.s. system (that itself is derived from metric system) in common utilization in physics nowadays.

  • Q : Define Pascal or SI unit of pressure

    Pascal: Pa The derived SI unit of pressure stated as 1 N acting over a region of 1 m2; it therefore has units of N/m2

  • Q : What is Cherenkov radiation Cherenkov

    Cherenkov radiation (P.A. Cherenkov): The radiation emitted by a huge particle which is moving faster than light in the medium via which it is travelling. No particle can travel faster than the light in vacuum, however the speed of light in other medi

  • Q : Define Newton or SI unit of force

    Newton: N (after Sir I. Newton, 1642-1727): The derived SI unit of force, stated as the force needed to give a mass of 1 kg of an acceleration of 1 m/s2; it therefore has units of kg m/s2.

  • Q : Define Pseudoforce Pseudoforce : The

    Pseudoforce: The "force" that arises as an observer is plainly treating an accelerating frame as an inertial one.

  • Q : Brownian motion Brownian motion   - The

    Brownian motion  - The continuous random motion of a solid microscopic particle whenever suspended in a fluid medium due to the effect of ongoing bombardment by molecules and atoms.  

  • Q : Define Kelvin or basic SI unit of

    Define Kelvin or basic SI unit of thermodynamic temperature: Kelvin: K (after Lord Kelvin, 1824-1907): The basic SI unit of thermodynamic temperature stated as 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of triple point of the water.

  • Q : Explain Cosmological constant

    Cosmological constant (Lambda): The constant mentioned to the Einstein field equation, proposed to admit the static cosmological solutions. At the time the present philosophical view was steady-state model of the space, where the Universe has been aro