--%>

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 : 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 : Describe the term ntu in thermodynamics

    Describe the term ntu in thermodynamics? Illustrate in short.

  • Q : Define Cosmological redshift

    Cosmological redshift: The effect where light emanates from a distant source appears redshifted since of the expansion of the space time itself.

  • Q : Define Henry or SI unit of inductance

    Henry: H (after W. Henry, 1775-1836): The derived SI unit of inductance, stated as the inductance of a closed circuit in which the electromotive force of 1 V is generated whenever the electric current differs uniformly at a rate of 1

  • Q : What is Bernoulli's equation

    Bernoulli's equation - In an ir-rotational fluid, the sum of static pressure, the weight of the fluid per unit mass times the height and half of the density times the velocity squared is steady all through the fluid 

  • Q : What do you understand by term ray

    What do you understand by term ray casting? Explain briefly?

  • Q : Define Faraday constant Faraday

    Faraday constant: F (M. Faraday): The electric charge fetched by one mole of electrons or singly-ionized ions. It is equivalent to the product result of the Avogadro constant and the absolute value of the charge on an electron; this i

  • Q : What is Hooke law Hooke's law (R.

    Hooke's law (R. Hooke): The stress exerted to any solid is proportional to the strain it generates within the elastic limit for that solid. The constant of that proportionality is the Young modulus of elasticity for that material.

  • Q : Secondary electron image and back

    What is main difference between secondary electron image and the back scattered electron image? State briefly.

  • Q : Define Keplers 1-2-3 law Kepler's 1-2-3

    Kepler's 1-2-3 law: The other formulation of Kepler's third law, that relates to the mass m of the primary to a secondary's angular velocity omega and semi major axis a: m o = omega2 a3