--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

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 Lumen or SI unit of luminous flux

    Lumen: lm: The derived SI unit of luminous flux, stated as the luminous flux produced by a uniform point source of 1 cd releasing its luminous energy over a solid angle of 1 sr; it therefore has units of cd sr.

    		•
  • 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 : Describe the term Specular Reflection

    Describe briefly the term Specular Reflection?

    		•
  • Q : What do you mean by the term positron

    What do you mean by the term positron? Explain in short.

    		•
  • Q : Explain Tachyon paradox Tachyon

    Tachyon paradox: The argument explaining that tachyons (should they subsist, of course) can’t carry an electric charge. For an imaginary-massed particle travelling faster than c, less energy the tachyon has, the faster it travels, till at zero e

    		•
  • Q : Define Weiss constant Weiss constant :

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

    		•
  • Q : Explain Photoelectric effect

    Photoelectric effect: An effect described by A. Einstein that demonstrates that light seems to be made up of particles, or photons. The light can excite electrons (termed as photoelectrons in this context) to be ejected from the metal. Light with a fr

    		•
  • Q : Gas encompass density or not Explain in

    Explain in brief that the gas encompass density or not?

    		•
  • Q : What do you mean by communication What

    What do you mean by communication? Illustrate in brief.

    		•
  • Q : Define Singularity Singularity : The

    Singularity: The center of a black hole, where the curvature of space-time is maximal. At singularity, the gravitational tides deviate; no solid object can yet theoretically survive beating the singularity. Though singularities usually predict inconsi

    		•