What Rotational Speed is Needed for a Satellite's 30-Minute Scan Cycle?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a geostationary satellite that scans the Earth from a height of 36,000 km, with a specific focus on determining the rotational speed required to complete a scan cycle every 30 minutes. The satellite's scanning mechanism and the resolution of the scan pixels are key factors in the discussion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equations related to the satellite's scanning process, including the relationship between resolution and the angle of coverage. There are attempts to calculate the necessary rotational speed based on the time allocated for scanning and repositioning.

Discussion Status

Several participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem, questioning the logic behind the initial equations and suggesting the need for sketches to visualize the scanning profile. There is an ongoing dialogue about the correct approach to determine the angle subtending the arc and how many scan lines are needed to cover the area.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential misunderstandings regarding the problem's requirements and the calculations involved. There is a focus on ensuring that the angle used in calculations is in the correct units, and some participants express uncertainty about the information needed to proceed effectively.

  • #31
Firben said:
So if
s = rα = 36000*2*(π/180)*8.646 ≈ 10864.9 km
and the number of slices in 10865.9 is 1448.65
Thus
v = 1448.65/25 ≈ 58 km/s
Is this right ?
You're looking for an angular velocity. What units are appropriate? What units are associated with your values "1448.65" and "25"?
 
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  • #32
v = 1448.65/25 = 58 rad/s
Is this approachable ? or is I am missing something ?
 
  • #33
Firben said:
v = 1448.65/25 = 58 rad/s
Is this approachable ? or is I am missing something ?
You're almost there, but you didn't answer my last question: What units are associated with your values "1448.65" and "25"?
 
  • #34
1448.65 is km or dimensionless and 25 is minutes. I am not sure what unit i should use here
 
  • #35
Firben said:
1448.65 is km or dimensionless and 25 is minutes. I am not sure what unit i should use here
A value can't both have units of km and be dimensionless; it's a logical contradiction.

In fact, the "1448" value represents the number of slices, and one slice requires one rotation of the satellite. So an appropriate unit for it is "rotations". So your ratio is rotations/minutes, or rotations per minute, or "rpm" to use the common nomenclature.

rpm is a perfectly good unit for angular velocity, but you could also convert that to radians per second if they are looking for the answer to be expressed that way.
 
  • #36
Ok, thanks for helping me out
 

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