Calculating Time to Overtake a Satellite in Orbit

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the time to overtake a satellite in orbit, the astronaut must consider the orbital radius and velocity differences. The astronaut is initially 20 km behind the satellite, with velocities of 31577.92 m/s for the satellite and 31621.43 m/s for the shuttle. The relative speed difference is 43.51 m/s, leading to a calculated time of 459.66 seconds to close the distance. However, the initial calculation mistakenly used the altitude above Earth instead of the distance from the Earth's center, which is essential for accurate results. Correcting this error is crucial for determining the proper time to overtake the satellite.
Symstar
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Homework Statement


You are an astronaut in the space shuttle pursuing a satellite in need of repair. You are in a circular orbit of the same radius as the satellite (400 km above the Earth), but 20 km behind it.

How long will it take to overtake the satellite if you reduce your orbital radius by 1.1 km?


Homework Equations


Fg=G*m1m2/r^2


The Attempt at a Solution


F_g=m\frac{v^2}{r}
G\frac{m_1m_E}{r^2}=m\frac{v^2}{r}
G\frac{m_E}{r}=v^2
v=\sqrt{G\frac{m_E}{r}}

vsat=31577.92 m/s
vshut=31621.43 m/s

vshut relative to satellite = 43.51 m/s

v=d/t => t=d/v

t = 20,000m / 43.51m/s = 459.66s = 0.13 hr

This is, however, the wrong answer. What did I do wrong?
 
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Symstar said:
What did I do wrong?
The satellite 400 km above the Earth, not 400 km from the center of the Earth.
 
Silly mistake, thanks for the help!
 
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