--%>

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 Superconductivity

    Superconductivity: The phenomenon by which, at adequately low temperatures, a conductor can conduct the charge with zero (0) resistance. The current theory for describing superconductivity is the BCS theory.

  • Q : Define Ohm or SI unit of electric

    Ohm: Omega: O (after G. Ohm, 1787-1854) The derived SI unit of electric resistance, stated as the resistance among two points on a conductor whenever a constant potential difference of 1 V generates a current of 1 A in the conductor;

  • Q : Explain Schroedingers cat

    Schroedinger's cat (E. Schroedinger; 1935): A thought experiment designed to exemplify the counterintuitive and strange ideas of reality that come all along with the quantum mechanics. A cat is sealed within a clos

  • 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 : 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 : Explain Ideal gas equation Ideal gas

    Ideal gas equation: The equation that sums up the ideal gas laws in one simple equation, P V = n R T, Here V is the volume, P is the pressure, n is the

  • 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 : Heating a bucket of water than the cup

    Briefly describe the reason why it takes longer to heat a bucket of water than the cup of water?

  • Q : Law of Machines Describe briefly all

    Describe briefly all the Law of Machines?

  • Q : What is Ultraviolet catastrophe

    Ultraviolet catastrophe: It is the shortcoming of Rayleigh-Jeans formula that attempted to explain the radiance of a blackbody at different frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. This was clearly wrong since as the frequency rose, the radiance r