Homework Help: Physics

Posted by winterWX on Friday, February 16, 2007 at 4:31pm.

A orbiting satellite stays over a certain spot on the equator of (rotating) Earth. What is the altitude of the orbit (called a "synchronous orbit")?

Write the equation for the period of a satellite in terms of the distance from the Earth's center. It is a special form of Kepler's Third law. Then set the period equal to 24 hours and solve for the distance from the center. Subtract the Earth's radius to get the altitude.

This reference may help:
http://www.ctiinfo.com/SatControl/ComTrack/InclinedOrbitTutorial/satgeom1.htm

ok thanks.

No one has answered this question yet.

Answer this Question

Related Questions

Physics - A orbiting satellite stays over a certain spot on the equator of (...
Physics - A orbiting satellite stays over a certain spot on the equator of (...
physics - A orbiting satellite stays over a certain spot on the equator of (...
Physics-Gravity - A orbiting satellite stays over a certain spot on the equator ...
Physics....Orbiting Satellite - A orbiting satellite stays over a certain spot ...
Trigonometry - A satellite orbiting the earth in a circular path stays at a ...
physics - Two Earth satellites, A and B, each of mass m, are to be launched into...
physics - A communications satellite is in a synchronous orbit that is 3.00 107 ...
physics - Two Earth satellites, A and B, each of mass m, are to be launched into...
Physics - A synchronous satellite is placed in a circular orbit above Earth, at ...

For Further Reading

First Name:
School Subject:
Answer: