--%>

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 : Fission and Fusion What do you mean by

    What do you mean by Fission and Fusion?

  • Q : Define Pauli Exclusion Principle Pauli

    Pauli Exclusion Principle (W. Pauli; 1925): No two similar fermions in a system, like electrons in an atom, can contain an identical set of the quantum numbers.

  • Q : Radar gun problem Whenever a radar gun

    Whenever a radar gun states the pitch is 90 miles per hour at what point in the balls travel to home plate is the radar gun evaluating the velocity?

  • Q : What do you mean by the term density

    What do you mean by the term density? Briefly explain it.

  • Q : Anthropic principle What is  Anthropic

    What is Anthropic principle? Explain Weak anthropic principle and Strong anthropic principle?

    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 : What is Roche limit Roche limit : The

    Roche limit: The position about a massive body where the tidal forces due to the gravity of the primary equivalent or exceed the surface gravity of a specified satellite. Within the Roche limit, such a satellite will be interrupted by tides.

  • Q : What is Negative feedback principle

    Negative feedback principle: It is the idea that in a system where there are self-propagating situations, those new situations tend to act against formerly existing situations. Such a principle is in actuality a restatement of the conservation law.

  • 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 : Explain Twin paradox Twin paradox: One

    Twin paradox: One of the most well-known "paradoxes" in history, predicted by Sir Einstein's special theory of relativity. It takes two twins, born on similar date on Earth. One, Albert, leaves home for a trip about the Universe at very high speeds (v