This discussion focuses on calculating the weight of a spacecraft at varying distances from Earth's surface, specifically at 6.38x10^3 km and 1.28x10^4 km. The key formula used is F = mAmB/d^2, where d represents the distance from the center of the Earth, not the distance to the surface. The confusion arises from the interpretation of distances as rE + rE and rE + 2rE, where rE is the Earth's radius. The conclusion emphasizes that the distance for gravitational force calculations must account for the total distance from the Earth's center.
PREREQUISITESAerospace engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in understanding gravitational effects on spacecraft at varying distances from Earth.
SigFig said:Homework Statement
When calculating weights away from Earth's surface, for example:
At 6.38x10^3 km away from Earth's surface a spacecraft s weight is d=rE+rE or 2rE
Then F=(1/4)(SpaceCraftWeight)
What I don't understand is why the distance is rE+rE?
Or when 1.28x10^4 km away
d=rE+2rE or 3rE ?
I'm also assuming since F=mAmB/d^2
That's why F= (1/(x^2)(W) ?