--%>

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 Pseudoforce Pseudoforce : The

    Pseudoforce: The "force" that arises as an observer is plainly treating an accelerating frame as an inertial one.

  • Q : Explain Pascals principle Pascal's

    Pascal's principle: The pressure exerted to an enclosed incompressible static fluid is transmitted undiminished to all portions of the fluid.

  • Q : Define Laue pattern Laue pattern (M.

    Laue pattern (M. von Laue): The pattern generated on a photographic film whenever high-frequency electromagnetic waves (like x-rays) are fired at the crystalline solid.

  • Q : Define Second or SI unit of time

    Second: s: The basic SI unit of time, stated as the period of time equivalent to the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation analogous to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of cesium-133 atom.

  • Q : Define Luxon Luxon : The particle that

    Luxon: The particle that travels solely at c (that is the speed of light in vacuum). All luxons have a rest mass of exactly zero. Though they are mass less, luxons do take momentum. The photons are the prime illustration of luxons (that is the name it

  • Q : Define anti-aliasing What do you

    What do you understand by the term anti-aliasing? Describe briefly?

  • Q : Define Josephson effects Josephson

    Josephson effects (B.D. Josephson; 1962): Electrical effects examined whenever two superconducting materials are separated by a thin layer of the insulating substance.

  • Q : Physics Assignement complete assignment

    complete assignment with clear solution and explanation

  • Q : What is Magnetic monopole Magnetic

    Magnetic monopole: The hypothetical particle that comprises sources and sinks of the magnetic field. The magnetic monopoles have never been found, however would only cause pretty minor modifications to the Maxwell's equations. They also appear to be p

  • Q : Define Grandfather paradox Grandfather

    Grandfather paradox: The paradox proposed to discount time travel and exhibit why it violates causality. State that your grand-father makes a time machine. In the current time, you employ his time machine to go back in time a few decades to a point be