- #1
ehilge
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Homework Statement
see attachment #12.106
Homework Equations
V=R[tex]\sqrt{}(g/r)[/tex] (for a circular orbit)
where R is the radius of the Earth and r is the radius of the orbit from the center of the earth
conservation of momentum for elliptical orbits:
Vara=Vbrb
The Attempt at a Solution
The first thing I did was find the velocity of the satellite while it is still in a circular orbit and came up with 1.46x108 m/s. Now this is fine and dandy but I don't see where there is enough information to get the velocities in the elliptical orbit since the only equation I have for an elliptical orbit is listed above and I don't have Va or Vb. I tried to pretend that the object also went into a circular orbit at B by another rocket boost. Hoping that I might be able to solve for something but to no avail. So I guess my question really is, what is another equation that also has Va and Vb so I can solve simultaneously, or is there a way to eliminate one of the variables that I don't see?
Thanks!