--%>

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 : Problem on Orbit cycle Calculate the

    Calculate the hot and cold temperature after 25 orbits. Assume a 100kg spherical spacecraft made of aluminum. Assume that the spacecraft is in an equatorial orbit. How is calculation 1 different for a spacecraft in a 90 degree (polar) orbit?

  • Q : Define Fermats principle Fermat's

    Fermat's principle: principle of least time (P. de Fermat): The principle, put onward by P. de Fermat that explains the path taken by a ray of light among any two points in a system is for all time the path which takes the least time.

  • Q : Explain Curie-Weiss law Curie-Weiss law

    Curie-Weiss law (P. Curie, P.-E. Weiss): A more broad form of Curie's law that states that the susceptibility, khi, of a paramagnetic substance is associated to its thermodynamic temperature T by the equation:

    Q : Biot-Savart law Biot-Savart law (J.B.

    Biot-Savart law (J.B. Biot, F. Savart) - The law which explains the contributions to the magnetic field by an electric current. This is analogous to the Coulomb's law. Mathematically: dB = (mu0 I)/(4 pi r2) dl cross e

  • Q : Explain Rydberg formula Rydberg formula

    Rydberg formula (Rydberg): The formula that explains all of the characteristics of hydrogen's spectrum, comprising the Balmer, Paschen, Lyman, Brackett, and Pfund sequence. For the transition between an electron in

  • Q : Define Compton Effect Compton Effect

    Compton Effect (A.H. Compton; 1923): The effect which describes those photons (that is the quantum of electromagnetic radiation) has momentum. The photon fired at a stationary particle, like an electron, will communicate momentum to t

  • Q : Define Ohm or SI unit of electric

    Ohm: Omega: O (after G. Ohm, 1787-1854) The derived SI unit of electric resistance, stated as the resistance among two points on a conductor whenever a constant potential difference of 1 V generates a current of 1 A in the conductor;

  • Q : Explain Schroedingers cat

    Schroedinger's cat (E. Schroedinger; 1935): A thought experiment designed to exemplify the counterintuitive and strange ideas of reality that come all along with the quantum mechanics. A cat is sealed within a clos

  • Q : What are Trojan satellites Trojan

    Trojan satellites: Satellites that orbit a body at one or the other Trojan points associative to a secondary body. There are numerous illustrations of this in our own solar system: a collection of asteroids that orbit in the Trojan points of Jupiter;

  • Q : Meaning of Network Define the meaning

    Define the meaning of Network in brief.