--%>
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 : Problem on Orbit cycle Calculate the

    Calculate the hot and cold temperature after 25 orbits. Assume a 100kg spherical spacecraft made of aluminum. Assume that the spacecraft is in an equatorial orbit. How is calculation 1 different for a spacecraft in a 90 degree (polar) orbit?

    		•
  • Q : Law of Lamberts Cosine State the law of

    State the law of Lamberts Cosine? Describe briefly?

    		•
  • 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 : Describe the term Specular Reflection

    Describe briefly the term Specular Reflection?

    		•
  • Q : What is Avogadro constant Avogadro

    Avogadro constant: L; NA (Count A. Avogadro; 1811) The total number of items in a sample of a substance that is equivalent to the number of molecules or atoms in a sample of an ideal gas that is at customary temperature and pressure. It is equivalent

    		•
  • Q : Rest mass energy of the electron What

    What do you mean by the rest mass energy of the electron?

    		•
  • Q : What is curvilinear motion What do you

    What do you mean by the term curvilinear motion? State in brief?

    		•
  • Q : Explain Event horizon Event horizon:

    Event horizon: The radius which a spherical mass should be compressed to in order to convert it into a black hole, or the radius at which the time and space switch responsibilities. Once within the event horizon, it is basically impossible to escape t

    		•
  • Q : Define Lux or SI unit of the illuminance

    Lux: lx: The derived SI unit of the illuminance equivalent to the illuminance generated by a luminous flux of 1 lm distributed consistently over a region of 1 m2; it therefore has units of lm/m2.

    		•
  • Q : Blackbody radiation What is Blackbody

    What is Blackbody radiation - The radiation - that is the radiance at specific frequencies all across the spectrum -- generated by a blackbody -- which is, a perfect radiator and absorber of the heat. Physicists had complexity exp

    		•