Question 1

An artificial earth satellite is in an elliptical orbit which brings it to an altitude of

250 km at perigee and out to an altitude of 500 km at apogee. Calculate the velocity of
the satellite at both perigee and apogee.

SOLUTION,
Given: Rp = (6,375 + 250) x 1,000 = 6,625,000 m
Ra = (6,375 + 500) x 1,000 = 6,875,000 m

Equations (1.16) and (1.17),

Vp = SQRT[ 2 x GM x Ra / (Rp x (Ra + Rp)) ]

Vp = SQRT[ 2 x 3.986x1014 x 6,875,000 / (6,625,000 x (6,875,000 + 6,625,000)) ]
Vp = 7,828 m/s

Va = SQRT[ 2 x GM x Rp / (Ra x (Ra + Rp)) ]

Va = SQRT[ 2 x 3.986x1014 x 6,625,000 / (6,875,000 x (6,875,000 + 6,625,000)) ]
Va = 7,544 m/s

Question 2
A satellite in earth orbit passes through its perigee point at an altitude of 200 km
above the earth's surface and at a velocity of 7,850 m/s. Calculate the apogee altitude
of the satellite.

SOLUTION,
Given: Rp = (6,375 + 200) x 1,000 = 6,575,000 m
Vp = 7,850 m/s

Equation (1.18),

Ra = Rp / [2 x GM / (Vp2 x Rp) - 1]
Ra = 6,575,000 / [2 x 3.986x1014 / (7,8502 x 6,575,000) - 1]
Ra = 6,795,000 m

Altitude @ apogee = 6,795,000 / 1,000 - 6,375 = 420 km

Question 3
Suppose we have a planet in an elliptical orbit around the Sun with a semi-major axis (a) of 1.5 astronomical
units (AU) and an eccentricity (e) of 0.2. The planet's mean anomaly (M) is given as 60 degrees. Calculate
the eccentric anomaly (E) and the true anomaly (ν).
SOLUTION,

1. **Calculate the Eccentric Anomaly (E):**

To find the eccentric anomaly, we can use the equation:

[M = E - e * sin(E)]

We are given:

- M = 60 degrees

- e = 0.2

Let's solve for E:

[60 = E - 0.2 * sin(E)]

We can use an iterative method like Newton's method to solve this equation numerically. For simplicity,
let's use a few iterations to find an approximate value of E.

- Start with an initial guess, E₀ = 60 degrees.

- Iterate using the formula:

[Eᵢ₊₁ = Eᵢ - (Eᵢ - e * sin(Eᵢ) - M) / (1 - e * cos(Eᵢ))]

Let's perform three iterations:

- Iteration 1:

[E₁ = 60 - (60 - 0.2 * sin(60) - 60) / (1 - 0.2 * cos(60))]

- Iteration 2:

[E₂ = 59.8504]

- Iteration 3:

[E₃ = 59.8499]

After a few iterations, we find that E is approximately 59.8499 degrees.

2. **Calculate the True Anomaly (ν):**

The true anomaly (ν) can be calculated using the formula:

[tan(ν/2) = √((1 + e) / (1 - e)) * tan(E/2)]

We already have E, and we know e = 0.2. Let's calculate ν:

[tan(ν/2) = √((1 + 0.2) / (1 - 0.2)) * tan(59.8499/2)]

[tan(ν/2) = √(1.2 / 0.8) * tan(29.92495)]

[tan(ν/2) = √1.5 * 0.5685]

 [tan(ν/2) = 0.9487]

Now, to find ν, we can take the arctan of 2 times the arctan of (tan(ν/2)):

[ν/2 = 2 * arctan(0.9487)]

[ν/2 ≈ 68.3181]

[ν ≈ 2 * 68.3181 ≈ 136.6362] degrees

So, the eccentric anomaly (E) is approximately 59.8499 degrees, and the true anomaly (ν) is approximately
136.6362 degrees.

Question 4
Suppose you are at a location on Earth with the following coordinates:

- Geodetic Latitude (φ'): 40.0 degrees

- Altitude above the reference ellipsoid (h): 1000 meters

Calculate the geocentric latitude (φ) for this location.

SOLUTION,

The geocentric latitude (φ) can be calculated using the formula:

[tan(φ) = (1 - f)^2 * tan(φ')]

Where:

- (φ) is the geocentric latitude.

- (φ') is the geodetic latitude.

- (f) is the flattening factor of the reference ellipsoid.

The flattening factor (f) is defined as:

[f = frac{a - b}{a}]

Where:

- (a) is the semi-major axis of the ellipsoid (equatorial radius).

- (b) is the semi-minor axis of the ellipsoid (polar radius).

For the WGS84 ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 meters, b = 6,356,752.3142 meters), \(f\) is approximately
1/298.257223563.

Let's calculate (f) first:

[f = frac{6,378,137 - 6,356,752.3142}{6,378,137} ≈ 0.00335281066475]

Now, we can calculate (φ) using the given (φ') and (f):
[tan(φ) = (1 - 0.00335281066475)^2 * tan(40)

Now, calculate (φ) by taking the arctangent of the right-hand side:

[φ = atan((1 - 0.00335281066475)^2 * tan(40)]

Calculating this value:

[φ ≈ 39.8049]

So, the geocentric latitude ((φ)) for the given geodetic latitude ((φ')) of 40.0 degrees and an altitude ((h)) of
1000 meters above the reference ellipsoid on the WGS84 ellipsoid is approximately 39.8049 degrees.

Question 5

The mass of Earth is 5.97x1024 kg, the mass of the Moon is 7.35x1022 kg, and the mean distance of the Moon
from the center of Earth is 3.84x105 km. Use these data to calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force
exerted by Earth on the Moon.

SOLUTION,

𝑚𝐸 = 5.97𝑥1024 𝑘𝑔

𝑚𝑀 = 7.35𝑥1022 𝑘𝑔

𝑟 = 3.84𝑥105 𝑘𝑚 = 3.84𝑥108 𝑚

𝐺 = 6.673𝑥10−11 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2 /𝑘𝑔2

𝐹𝑀𝐸 =?

𝐹𝑀𝐸 = 𝐺 ((𝑚𝐸𝑚𝑀 )/𝑟 ^2)

𝐹𝑀𝐸 = (6.673𝑥10−11 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2 /𝑘𝑔2 ) [ ((5.97𝑥1024 𝑘𝑔)(7.35𝑥1022 𝑘𝑔)) /(3.84𝑥10^8 𝑚) ^2 ]

𝐹𝑀𝐸 = (6.673𝑥10−11 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2 /𝑘𝑔2 ) (( 4.39𝑥1047 𝑘𝑔2 )/(1.47𝑥1017 𝑚2 ))

𝐹𝑀𝐸 = (6.673𝑥10−11 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2 𝑘𝑔2 ⁄ )(2.98𝑥1030 𝑘𝑔2 𝑚2 ⁄ )

𝐹𝑀𝐸 = 1.99𝑥10^20N

Question 6
Calculate the orbital period of a hypothetical planet that is orbiting a star with a mass of 2.5 times the mass of
our Sun. The semi-major axis of the planet's orbit is 4.5 astronomical units (AU).

SOLUTION,
Kepler's Third Law relates the orbital period (T) of a planet to the semi-major axis (a) of its orbit and the mass
(M) of the central star. The formula is as follows:

[T^2 =({4π2}/{G.M} *a3

Where:
- T is the orbital period (in seconds).

- a is the semi-major axis (in meters).

- M is the mass of the central star (in kilograms).

- G is the gravitational constant ((6.67430 * 10-11 m3/kg.s2)).

We are given:

- The semi-major axis (a) = 4.5 AU.

- The mass of the central star (M) = 2.5 times the mass of our Sun (M.)

- The mass of our Sun (M.)≈ 1.989 * 1030 kg.

- 1 AU ≈ 1.496 * 1011 meters.

First, we need to find the mass of the central star (M):

M=2.5⋅M⊙=2.5⋅1.989×1030 kg
M=4.9725×1030kg
Now, we can convert the semi-major axis (a) from AU to meters:

a=4.5AU×1.496×1011 meters/AU
a=6.732×10 11meters
Now, we can plug these values into Kepler's Third Law equation and solve for T:

[T2 =( {4π2}/{G} )/{a^3}/{M}]

Let's calculate the right-hand side of the equation first:

T2=((4π2)/6.67430×10−11m3/kg⋅s2)⋅(6.732×1011meters)3/4.9725×1030kg
Now, calculate:

T2≈3.956×1014s2
To find T, take the square root:

T≈ sqrt (3.956×1014s2)
T≈1.989×107 s
Now, let's convert the orbital period from seconds to years (1 year ≈ (3.154 times 10^7) seconds):

T≈(1.989×107s )/ (3.154×107s/year)
T≈0.631years
So, the orbital period of the hypothetical planet is approximately 0.631 years.

Question 7
**Problem**: A satellite is in geostationary orbit above the Earth at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. A ground
station is located at latitude 30 degrees North and longitude 90 degrees West. Calculate the azimuth angle (the
compass direction in which the satellite dish must be pointed) to communicate with the geostationary satellite.

SOLUTION,
To calculate the azimuth angle, we need to consider the location of the satellite, the location of the ground
station, and their respective coordinates. The azimuth angle is the compass direction (measured clockwise
from North) at which the ground station should point its antenna to communicate with the satellite.

1. **Satellite Position**:

- The satellite is in geostationary orbit, which means it is directly above the equator and has a fixed position
relative to the Earth's surface.

- Since the Earth's radius is approximately 6,371 kilometers, the distance from the satellite to the Earth's
center is (36,000 + 6,371 = 42,371) kilometers.

- The satellite is directly above the Equator, so its longitude is 0 degrees.

2. **Ground Station Position**:

- Latitude of the ground station ((φ)) = 30 degrees North = (300) North.

- Longitude of the ground station ((λ)) = 90 degrees West = (90o) West.

- The longitude of the ground station is given in degrees West, so we convert it to degrees East by making
it negative: (λ = -90o) East.

3. **Calculating the Azimuth Angle**:

The azimuth angle ((A)) can be calculated using the following formula:

A=arctan (sin(λs−λ)/(cos(φ)⋅tan(λs−λ)))
Where:

- (A) is the azimuth angle.

- (φ) is the latitude of the ground station.

- (λ) is the longitude of the ground station (in degrees East).

- (λs) is the longitude of the satellite (in degrees East).

In this case, λs=0o(since the satellite is directly above the Equator).

Now, plug in the values:

A=arctan( sin(0−(−90))/ (cos(30)⋅tan(0−(−90)) )
A=arctan( sin(90)/(cos(30)⋅tan(90))
A=arctan (1/((sqrt(3))/3 *∞))
A=arctan(0)
 The arctan(0) is equal to 0, so the azimuth angle (A) is 0 degrees.

Therefore, the azimuth angle for the ground station to communicate with the geostationary satellite is 0
degrees, which means the satellite dish should be pointed due North.

Question 7

Problem: A geostationary satellite is positioned in orbit approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Earth's
surface. Calculate the range from a ground station to the geostationary satellite.

Solution:
To calculate the range from the ground station to the geostationary satellite, we need to consider the altitude
of the satellite and the radius of the Earth. The range is essentially the sum of the altitude of the satellite and
the radius of the Earth.
Satellite Altitude:
The altitude of the geostationary satellite above the Earth's surface is given as 36,000 kilometers.
Earth's Radius:
The approximate radius of the Earth is 6,371 kilometers.
Calculating the Range (R): The range (R) can be calculated as:
R=Altitude of Satellite+Radius of Earth
Substituting the values:
R=36,000 km+6,371 km
R=42,371 km
So, the range from the ground station to the geostationary satellite is approximately 42,371 kilometers. This
is the distance that signals or data must travel between the ground station and the satellite in a geostationary
orbit.

Question 8
Problem: An observer at a location on Earth measures the altitude of the North Star (Polaris) to be 40 degrees
above the horizon. Calculate the zenith angle for Polaris as observed from this location.

Solution:
The zenith angle (Z) is the angle between the zenith (the point directly above the observer) and the observed
celestial object. In this case, we are given that the altitude of Polaris ( H) above the horizon is 40 degrees. To find
the zenith angle, we use the following relationship:

Z=90∘−H

Where:
 • Z is the zenith angle.
• H is the altitude of the celestial object above the horizon.

Now, plug in the given value for H:

Z=90 o−40 o

Z=50o

So, the zenith angle for Polaris, as observed from this location, is 50 degrees. This means that Polaris is 50
degrees away from the zenith, which is the point directly above the observer's head.

Question 9
Problem: Given the following information about a satellite in orbit around Earth, calculate its perifocal
coordinates:
Semimajor axis (a) = 10,000 kilometers
Eccentricity e) = 0.2
Inclination (i) = 30 degrees
Argument of Perigee (ω) = 60 degrees
True Anomaly (ν) = 45 degrees

Solution:
To calculate the perifocal coordinates, we'll first convert the given orbital elements to the perifocal frame. The
conversion formulas are as follows:

1. Radial distance (r): r= a(1−e ) / (1+ecos(ν))

2

2. Azimuth angle θ=ν+ω

Out-of-plane angle z=i

Now, let's calculate each component:

1. Radial distance (r):

r=10,000km⋅(1−0.22 )/(1+0.2⋅cos(45∘))
r≈1+0.2⋅0.707110,000km⋅0.96
r≈9,600 km /1.14142
r≈8,415km
2. Azimuth angle (θ): θ=45+60
θ=105∘
3. Out-of-plane angle (z): z=30

So, the perifocal coordinates for the satellite in orbit are:

• Radial distance (r) ≈ 8,415 kilometers

 • Azimuth angle (θ) = 105 degrees
• Out-of-plane angle (z) = 30 degrees

These coordinates describe the position of the satellite relative to its orbital plane.

QUESTION 10
A satellite is in an elliptical orbit with eccentricity of 0.6 and perigee altitude 1000 Km. Determine: a) The
semi major axis b) The period of revolution

SOLUTION
Given: eccentricity (e) = 0.6; perigee (Rp) = 1000

Rp = a (1-e)

1000 = a (1-0.6) => a (semi major axis) = 2500 Km.

By Kepler’s law; period of revolution T2 = a3 => T = 125000 Sec.

QUESTION 11
A satellite is launched into earth orbit where its launch vehicle burns out at an altitude of 150 miles. At
burnout the satellite's velocity is 26,000 ft/s with equal to 89 degrees. Calculate the satellite's altitude at
perigee and apogee.

SOLUTION,

Given: r1 = (3,960 + 150) x 5,280 = 21,700,800 ft

v1 = 26,000 ft/s
= 89o
(Rp / r1)1,2 = ( -C +/- SQRT[ C2 - 4 x (1 - C) x -sin2]) / (2 x (1 - C))
where C = 2 x GM / (r1 x v12)
C = 2 x 1.408x1016 / (21,700,800 x 26,0002)
C = 1.920
(Rp / r1)1,2 = ( -1.920 +/- SQRT[ 1.9202 - 4 x -0.920 x -sin2(89) ]) / (2 x -0.920)
(Rp / r1)1,2 = 0.9963 and 1.091
Perigee Radius, Rp = Rp1 = r1 x (Rp / r1)1
Rp = 21,700,800 x 0.9963
Rp = 21,621,000 ft
Altitude @ perigee = 21,621,000 / 5280 - 3,960 = 135 miles
Apogee Radius, Ra = Rp2 = r1 x (Rp / r1)2
Ra = 21,700,800 x 1.091
Ra = 23,676,000 ft

Altitude @ agogee = 23,676,000 / 5,280 - 3,960 = 524 miles

QUESTION 12
A satellite communication system has a receiving antenna with a noise figure of 3 dB. The system's receiver
adds thermal noise with an equivalent noise temperature of 300 K. The signal of interest is received with a
power of -100 dBm. Calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver's output.

SOLUTION,
The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver's output can be calculated using the following formula:

[SNR = frac{S}{N}]

Where:

- (S) is the signal power (in dBm).

-(N) is the noise power (in dBm).

First, we need to convert the noise figure from dB to a linear scale (noise factor). The formula for noise factor
(F) in dB is:

FdB = 10.log10(F)

Given that the noise figure (NF) is 3 dB:

3 = 10 .log10(F)]

Now, solve for F:

F = 10^{3/10} = 2.0

So, the noise factor (F) is 2.0.

Next, we need to calculate the noise power (N) using the noise factor and the equivalent noise temperature
(T):

N = FkT

Where:

- Fis the noise factor (2.0).

- k is Boltzmann's constant (1.38 times 10^{-23}J/K).

- T is the equivalent noise temperature (300 K).

Convert the temperature from kelvin to kelvin per noise figure:

T = T + 290 K

Now, calculate the noise power (N):

N=2.0⋅(1.38×10-23J/K)⋅(300K+290K)
N≈2.0⋅(1.38×10-23J/K)⋅(590K)
N≈1.62×10-21W
Now, convert the noise power from watts to dBm:

NdBm=10⋅log10(N/1mW)
NdBm=10⋅log10(1.62×10−21 W/1mW )

NdBm≈10⋅log10(1.62×10−15)
NdBm≈10⋅(−14.791)
NdBm≈−147.91dBm
Now, calculate the SNR:

SNR=−100dBm/−147.91dBm
SNR≈0.676
So, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver's output is approximately 0.676 or -3.66 dB (in dB scale).

QUESTION 13
A satellite receiver has a system noise temperature of 500 K. The receiver is connected to an antenna with a
noise temperature of 50 K. Calculate the overall noise temperature of the receiver-antenna system.

SOLUTION
In this case, we have two components: the satellite receiver (T1=500 K) and the antenna (T2=50 K).
Assuming that the antenna doesn't introduce any additional gain or loss, G2=1.
Now, we can calculate the overall noise temperature:
Toverall=T1+ (T2−290/G1)+ (T3−290/G1.G2)+…+ (Tn−290/(G1⋅G2⋅…⋅Gn−1 ))

Toverall =500+(50−290/1)
T overall=500+(−240/1)
T overall =500−240
T overall =260K
So, the overall noise temperature of the receiver-antenna system is 260 K.

QUESTION 14
A ground-based radio telescope has an antenna with a physical temperature of 20 degrees Celsius
(293 K). The antenna has a gain of 1000. Calculate the antenna noise temperature and the total
equivalent noise temperature when connected to a receiver with a noise temperature of 50 K.

SOLUTION
To calculate the antenna noise temperature ((Ta)) and the total equivalent noise temperature
((T_total)) of the system, we can use the following formula:
T_total= T_a + frac{T_r}{G}]

Where:
- (T_a) is the antenna noise temperature (in Kelvin, K).
- (T_r) is the receiver noise temperature (in K).
- (G) is the gain of the antenna (a unitless ratio).

Given:
- Physical temperature of the antenna ((T_a)) = 293 K
- Gain of the antenna ((G)) = 1000
- Receiver noise temperature ((T_r)) = 50 K

1. Calculate the antenna noise temperature ((T_a)):

T_a = 293K (physical temperature)

2. Calculate the total equivalent noise temperature ((T_total)):

T_total = 293 + frac{50}{1000}

T_total= 293 + 0.05

T_total= 293.05K

So, the antenna noise temperature is 293 K, and the total equivalent noise temperature of the
system when connected to the receiver is approximately 293.05 K.

QUESTION 15
An astronomer in New York City (latitude 40.7128° N, longitude 74.0060° W) is observing a star
in the night sky. The star's equatorial coordinates are right ascension (α) = 2 hours (30 degrees) and
declination (δ) = +60 degrees. Calculate the altitude and azimuth of the star at midnight local time.
SOLUTION
To calculate the altitude (h) and azimuth (A) of the star in the topocentric horizon coordinate
system, we'll use the following formulas:

1. Calculate the Hour Angle (H):

H=LST−α

Where:
- LST is the local sidereal time (in degrees), and
- α is the right ascension of the star (in degrees).

To calculate LST, you can use the formula:

LST = 100.46 + 0.985647 .D + L – 15.T

Where:
- D is the number of days since the J2000 epoch (in days),
- L is the observer's longitude (in degrees), and
- T is the number of Julian centuries since the J2000 epoch (in centuries).

In this problem, we'll assume(D = 0) because we're calculating for midnight. The observer's
longitude (L) for New York City is -74.0060 degrees, and (T) can be calculated using the Julian
Date (JD).

2. Calculate the Altitude (h):

h = arcsin(sin(δ) .sin(φ) + cos(δ) .cos(φ) .cos(H)

Where:
- δ is the declination of the star (in radians),
- φ is the observer's latitude (in radians),
- H is the hour angle (in radians).

3. Calculate the Azimuth (A):

 A = arctan2(sin(H),cos(H) .sin(φ) - tan(δ) . cos(φ)

Where:
- H is the hour angle (in radians),
- φ is the observer's latitude (in radians),
- δ is the declination of the star (in radians).

Now, let's calculate LST, h, and A:

1. Calculate (T) using the Julian Date (JD). For simplicity, we'll assume JD = 2459600.5 (a random
date):
T = frac{JD - 2451545}{36525}]
T = frac{2459600.5 - 2451545}{36525}
= approx 0.022316

2. Calculate \(LST\):

LST = 100.46 + 0.985647 . 0 + (-74.0060) – 15 . 0.022316

LST =approx 196.1664 degrees

3. Convert (LST) to radians:

LST_rad = frac{LST}{180} . pi
= approx 3.4296 radians

4. Calculate H
H = 3.4296 - 30
H≈−26.5704 radians

5. Convert δ to radians:
δrad=60∘⋅180π≈1.0472 radians
6. Convert φ to radians (latitude of New York City):
φrad=40.7128∘⋅π/180≈0.7114 radians
7. Calculate (h):
h=arcsin(sin(1.0472)⋅sin(0.7114)+cos(1.0472)⋅cos(0.7114)⋅cos(−26.5704))
h≈0.7824 radians

8. Convert (h) to degrees:

h∘=0.7824⋅180/π ≈ 44.83∘

9. Calculate (A):
A=arctan2(sin(−26.5704),cos(−26.5704)⋅sin(0.7114)−tan(1.0472)⋅cos(0.7114))
A≈−0.7747 radians

10. Convert \(A\) to degrees:

A∘=−0.7747⋅π180 ≈ −44.37∘
So, at midnight local time in New York City, the star has an altitude of approximately 44.83
degrees above the horizon, and its azimuth is approximately -44.37 degrees (west of north).

QUESTION 16
Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, has a mean orbital radius of 1.22x109 m. The orbital periodof
Titan is 15.95 days. Hyperion, another moon of Saturn, orbits at a mean radius of 1.48x109 m.Use
Kepler’s third law of planetary motion to predict the orbital period of Hyperion in days.

SOLUTION
𝑟𝑇 = 1.22𝑥109 𝑚

𝑇𝑇 = 15.95 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠

𝑟𝐻 = 1.48𝑥109 𝑚

𝑇𝐻 =?

𝑇𝑇 2 𝑟𝑇 3
( ) =( )
𝑇𝐻 𝑟𝐻
3
15.95 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 2 1.22𝑥109 𝑚
( 𝑇 ) =( 9 )
𝐻
254.4 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠2
2
15.95 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
( )
𝑇𝐻
 1.48𝑥10 𝑚 = 0.8243

𝑇𝐻 2 = 0.560

𝑇𝐻 = √254.4 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠2
0.560

𝑇𝐻 = 21.3 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
QUESTION 17
The planet Mercury travels around the Sun with a mean orbital radius of 5.8x1010 m. The mass
of the Sun is 1.99x1030 kg. Use Newton’s version of Kepler’s third law to determine howlong it
takes Mercury to orbit the Sun. Give your answer in Earth days.

SOLUTION
𝑟𝑀 = 5.810𝑥1010 𝑚

𝑚𝑆 = 1.99𝑥1030 𝑘𝑔

𝑇𝑀 =?

4𝜋2
𝑇𝑀2 = ( 3
𝐺𝑚𝑆 ) 𝑟

2 39.5
𝑇𝑀 = [ ] (5.810𝑥1010 𝑚)3
(6.673𝑥10−11 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2⁄𝑘𝑔2)(1.99𝑥1030 𝑘𝑔)

2 39.5
𝑇𝑀 = [ ] (1.96𝑥1032 𝑚3)
1.33𝑥10 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2⁄𝑘𝑔
20

𝑇𝑀2 = (2.96𝑥10−19 𝑠2⁄𝑚3)(1.96𝑥1032 𝑚3)

𝑇𝑀2 = 5.82𝑥1013 𝑠2

𝑇𝑀 = √5.82𝑥1013 𝑠2
𝑇𝑀 = 7.63𝑥106 1 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 1 𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝑠 ( )( ) = 88.3 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
3600 𝑠 24 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
QUESTION 18
Earth has an orbital period of 365 days and its mean distance from the Sun is 1.495x108 km.
The planet Pluto’s mean distance from the Sun is 5.896x109 km. Using Kepler’s third law,
calculate Pluto’s orbital period in Earth days.

SOLUTION
𝑇𝐸 = 365 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠

𝑟𝐸 = 1.495𝑥108 𝑘𝑚

𝑟𝑃 = 5.896𝑥109 𝑘𝑚

𝑇𝑃 =?

𝑇𝐸 2 𝑟𝐸 3
( ) =( )
𝑇𝑃 𝑟𝑃
2 3
365 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 1.495𝑥108 𝑘𝑚
( ) =( )
𝑇𝑃 5.896𝑥109 𝑘𝑚
2
365 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
( )
𝑇𝑃 = (2.54𝑥10−2)3

1.32𝑥105 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠2
( 2 ) = 1.63𝑥10−5
𝑇𝑃

1.32𝑥105 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠2
𝑇𝑃 = √
1.63𝑥10−5

𝑇𝑃 = 9.00𝑥104 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
QUESTION 19
The planet Venus orbits the Sun with a mean orbital radius of 1.076x1011 m. The mass of the Sun
is 1.99x1030 kg. Using Newton’s version of Kepler’s third law, calculate the orbital period of
Venus.

SOLUTION
𝑟𝑉 = 1.076𝑥1011 𝑚

𝑚𝑆 = 1.99𝑥1030 𝑘𝑔

𝑇𝑉 =?

4𝜋2
𝑇𝑉2 = ( 3
𝐺𝑚𝑆 ) 𝑟𝑉

=[ 4𝜋2 ] (1.076𝑥1011 𝑚)3

𝑇𝑉2

(6.673𝑥10−11 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2⁄𝑘𝑔2)(1.99𝑥1030 𝑘𝑔)

Tv2 = 39.5 (1.25𝑥1033 𝑚3)

1.33𝑥10 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2⁄𝑘𝑔
20

𝑇𝑉2 = (2.97𝑥10−19 𝑠2⁄𝑚3)(1.25𝑥1033 𝑚3)

𝑇𝑉2 = 3.17𝑥1014 𝑠2

𝑇𝑉 = √3.17𝑥1014 𝑠2

𝑇𝑉 = 1.93𝑥107 𝑠
QUESTION 20
A satellite is in a circular orbit around the Earth with a semi-major axis of 10,000 kilometers.
Calculate its apogee and perigee distances from the center of the Earth.

SOLUTION
The apogee and perigee distances of an orbit can be calculated using the following formulas:

- Apogee Distance (Ra)=Ra=a+r

- Perigee Distance (R_p): (R_p = a - r)

Where:
- (a) is the semi-major axis of the orbit.
- (r) is the radius of the Earth (approximately 6,371 kilometers).

Given:
- Semi-major axis (a) = 10,000 kilometers

Now, calculate (R_a) and (R_p):

- (R_a = 10,000 + 6,371 = 16,371) kilometers

- (R_p = 10,000 - 6,371 = 3,629) kilometers

So, the apogee distance is 16,371 kilometers, and the perigee distance is 3,629 kilometers.

QUESTION 21
A satellite in a geosynchronous orbit has a right ascension of the ascending node (RAAN) of 150
degrees. Calculate the longitude of the satellite.

SOLUTION
The longitude (L) of a satellite in a geosynchronous orbit can be calculated using the following
formula:

L = RAAN

Where:
- L is the longitude of the satellite.
- (RAAN) is the right ascension of the ascending node.

Given:
- Right Ascension of the Ascending Node (RAAN) = 150 degrees

Now, calculate (L):

L = 150 degrees

So, the longitude of the satellite is 150 degrees.

QUESTION 22
A satellite is in a polar orbit with an angle of inclination (i) of 80 degrees. Calculate the latitude of
the satellite's ground track when it crosses the equator.

SOLUTION
The latitude (L) of the satellite's ground track when it crosses the equator can be calculated using
the following formula:

L=90∘−i
Where:
-(L) is the latitude of the ground track.
- (i) is the angle of inclination of the satellite's orbit.

Given:
- Angle of Inclination (i) = 80 degrees

Now, calculate (L):

L=90∘−80∘=10∘
So, the latitude of the satellite's ground track when it crosses the equator is 10 degrees.