--%>

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 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 : Explain Chronology protection conjecture

    Chronology protection conjecture (S.W. Hawking): The notion that the formation of any closed time like curve will (automatically) involuntarily be destroyed by the quantum fluctuations as soon as it is made. In another words, the quan

  • Q : Define Ehrenfest paradox Ehrenfest

    Ehrenfest paradox (Ehernfest, 1909): The special relativistic "paradox" including a fast rotating disc. As any radial segment of the disc is perpendicular to the direction of motion, there must be no length contraction of the radius;

  • 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 : What is Cherenkov radiation Cherenkov

    Cherenkov radiation (P.A. Cherenkov): The radiation emitted by a huge particle which is moving faster than light in the medium via which it is travelling. No particle can travel faster than the light in vacuum, however the speed of light in other medi

  • 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 : What do you mean by communication What

    What do you mean by communication? Illustrate in brief.

  • Q : Explain Fizeau method Fizeau method (A.

    Fizeau method (A. Fizeau, 1851): One of the primary truthfully relativistic experiments intended to compute the speed of light. Light is passed via a spinning cog-wheel driven by running water, is reflected off a far-away mirror, and

  • Q : Brewster's law Brewster's law (D.

    Brewster's law (D. Brewster) - The extent or level of the polarization of light reflected from a transparent surface is maximum whenever the reflected ray is at right angle to the refracted ray.  

  • Q : Law of Lamberts Cosine State the law of

    State the law of Lamberts Cosine? Describe briefly?