What Formula Can Help You Understand Satellites in Orbit?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the dynamics of satellites in orbit, specifically focusing on the energy conservation principles and velocity calculations for a satellite transitioning between orbits.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between kinetic and potential energy in orbital mechanics, questioning the necessary speed adjustments for a satellite moving from one orbit to another. There is also a query regarding the consistency of answers between different parts of the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into energy conservation and velocity calculations, while others express uncertainty about the relationship between different orbital speeds. The conversation reflects a mix of confirmations and requests for clarification without reaching a definitive consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing a specific scenario involving a 1000 kg communication satellite and its required velocity for transitioning to a geosynchronous orbit, with some constraints implied by homework guidelines.

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i solved it. thanks to all who responded
 
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shouldnt the answer be the same as the one in part a?
 
Apply the energy conservation.
 
No, its speed needs to be increased at point 1 so that it matches the speed if it were in the elliptical orbit. This will then transfer it into the new elliptical orbit, or stated differently its energy need to be increased (kinetic) so that it matches the energy of the elliptical orbit at that point (the potential energy is the same at that point for both orbits).
 
Last edited:
nick727kcin said:
a.)Consider a 1000 kg communication satellite that needs to be boosted from an orbit 300 km above the Earth to a geosynchronous orbit 35,900 km above the earth. Find the velocity v_1 on the lower circular orbit.

this came out to be: 7730m/s
Can you show how you got that answer?
 
thanks for responding guys, and i got that answer by using this formula:

v= (sq. root) GM/(Re+h)

part a is definitely right, though
 
nick727kcin said:
thanks for responding guys, and i got that answer by using this formula:

v= (sq. root) GM/(Re+h)

part a is definitely right, though

That looks good to me.
 

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