A satellite is geostationary if it appears fixed in the sky as seen by an observer on Earth. Geostationary satellites are very useful for communication and a lot of them are in use. Access to geostationary orbit is regulated by international treaty and a spot in geostationary orbit is probably the most desirable "unreal estate" I can think of. What goes into making an orbit geostationary? Kepler's and Newton's laws, and location, location, location. We will determine how this works in these exercises. Kepler's first law in this context states that the orbit of a satellite is an ellipse with the center of the Earth at one focus. Kepler's second law states that the line oining the satellite and the center of the Earth sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time. Kepler's third law (in Newtonian form) relates the orbital period of the satellite o the semi-major axis of the orbit and the mass of the Earth. In order to appear geostationary, a satellite must have a circular orbit, the satellite must orbit in the Earth's equatorial plane, it must have the correct orbital period, and it must go around the Earth the correct way. We will explore each of these requirements below. 1. For this question assume the satellite's orbit is circular and lies in the Earth's equatorial plane. For parts (b) and (c) assume the satellite goes around the correct way. a) b) c) d) What is the required orbital period for a geostationary satellite? In what direction must the satellite orbit? What would an earthbound observer see if the orbital period of the satellite was too short? What would an earthbound observer see if the orbital period of the satellite was too long? What would an earthbound observer see if the satellite went around the Earth the wrong way?
A satellite is geostationary if it appears fixed in the sky as seen by an observer on Earth. Geostationary satellites are very useful for communication and a lot of them are in use. Access to geostationary orbit is regulated by international treaty and a spot in geostationary orbit is probably the most desirable "unreal estate" I can think of. What goes into making an orbit geostationary? Kepler's and Newton's laws, and location, location, location. We will determine how this works in these exercises. Kepler's first law in this context states that the orbit of a satellite is an ellipse with the center of the Earth at one focus. Kepler's second law states that the line oining the satellite and the center of the Earth sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time. Kepler's third law (in Newtonian form) relates the orbital period of the satellite o the semi-major axis of the orbit and the mass of the Earth. In order to appear geostationary, a satellite must have a circular orbit, the satellite must orbit in the Earth's equatorial plane, it must have the correct orbital period, and it must go around the Earth the correct way. We will explore each of these requirements below. 1. For this question assume the satellite's orbit is circular and lies in the Earth's equatorial plane. For parts (b) and (c) assume the satellite goes around the correct way. a) b) c) d) What is the required orbital period for a geostationary satellite? In what direction must the satellite orbit? What would an earthbound observer see if the orbital period of the satellite was too short? What would an earthbound observer see if the orbital period of the satellite was too long? What would an earthbound observer see if the satellite went around the Earth the wrong way?
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations and Connections
1st Edition
ISBN:9781133939146
Author:Katz, Debora M.
Publisher:Katz, Debora M.
Chapter7: Gravity
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 15PQ: When Sedna was discovered in 2003, it was the most distant object known to orbit the Sun. Currently,...
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