Orbital Transfers
Answer the following questions. Mark on the screen. You may change
your mind and re-mark before you hit the "grade test" button.
#1
Suppose the spaceshuttle is in circular orbit about the Earth, located at point O in the drawing. When the shuttle reaches point A in its orbit, it deploys a satellite straight out ahead of it. Which choice shows what the new orbit of the satellite looks like?
a.
b.
c.
d.
#2
NASA has planned an unusual fuel-saving maneuver to drop a satellite, initially in circular orbit about the Earth (Point O), straight down onto the Earth. To accomplish this, a double-thrust maneuver will be used, and the trajectory will be as shown in the figure. Which of the following choices best describes the maneuver?
a.
The satellite brakes slightly at A and then again at E.
b.
The satellite speeds up at A and brakes to 0 speed at E.
c.
The satellite brakes at B and brakes to 0 speed at D.
d.
The maneuver is impossible.
e.
None of these.
#3
Suppose a satellite (m
satellite
= 800 kg) is in a circular orbit 200 km above the surface of the Earth. How much energy is required in order to boost the satellite into a circular orbit 400 km above the surface of the Earth?
a.
1.3 x 10
4
J
b.
7.1 x 10
8
J
c.
4.0 x 10
11
J
d.
8.0 x 10
11
J
