--%>

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 : Define Determinism principle

    Determinism principle: The principle that when one knows the state to an unlimited accuracy of a system at one point in time, one would be capable to predict the state of that system with unlimited accuracy at any other time, past or the future. For i

  • Q : Explain Right-hand rule Right-hand

    Right-hand rule: The trick for right-handed coordinate systems to establish which way the cross product of two three-vectors will be directed. There are some forms of this rule, and it can be exerted in many manners. If u and v are two vectors that ar

  • Q : Explain the cause of Brownian motion

    Briefly define or explain the cause of Brownian motion?

  • Q : Black-hole dynamic laws or laws of

    Explain  laws of black-hole dynamics or First law of black hole dynamics and Second law of black hole dynamics? 

    Q : Define Eddington limit Eddington limit

    Eddington limit (Sir A. Eddington): The hypothetical limit at which the photon pressure would surpass the gravitational attraction of a light-emitting body. That is, a body emanating radiation at bigger than the Eddington limit would

  • Q : Kinematics why rockets are also called

    why rockets are also called as projectile

  • Q : Define Mediocrity principle Mediocrity

    Mediocrity principle: The principle that there is nothing predominantly interesting about our position in space or time, or regarding ourselves. This principle most likely first made its real manifestation in the scientific community whenever Shapley

  • Q : Bell's inequality Bell's inequality

    Bell's inequality (J.S. Bell; 1964) - The quantum mechanical theorem that explains that if the quantum mechanics were to rely on the hidden variables, it should have non-local properties.    

  • Q : Define Landauers principle Landauer's

    Landauer's principle: The principle which defines that it doesn't explicitly take energy to calculate data, however instead it takes energy to remove any data, as erasure is a vital step in computation.

  • Q : Define Weiss constant Weiss constant :

    Weiss constant: The characteristic constant dependent on the substance, employed in computing the susceptibility of the paramagnetic materials.