Page 64 - Intro to Space Sciences Spacecraft Applications

Orbital Principles
REFERENCES/ADDITIONAL READING 51

Boorstin, D., The Discoverers. New York: Vintage Books, 1985.
Bate, R., Mueller, D., and White, J., Fundamentals of Astrodynarnics.
New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1971.
Eisele, J., and Nichols, S., Orbital Mechanics of General-Coverage Satel-
lites. Naval Research Laboratory Report 7975, Washington, D.C.: U.S.
Government Printing Office, 1976.

EXERCISES

1. Due to drag considerations, the lowest altitude at which the Space Shut-
tle can operate is around 200 km. For a shuttle in a circular orbit at this
altitude, determine the following orbital parameters:

a. semi-major axis
b. orbital period
c. total energy
d. eccentricity
e. orbital velocity

2. Due to thrust considerations, the highest altitude at which the Space
Shuttle can operate is around 800 km. For a shuttle in a circular orbit at
this altitude, determine the same orbital parameters as above.
3. Compare each answer obtained in the above problems. Discuss the dif-
ferences in the answers and the reasons for the differences.
4. On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit
the earth. At apogee, his altitude reached 260.9 km and his perigee alti-
tude was 160.9 km. Determine the following parameters for his orbit:
a. semi-major axis
b. orbital period
c. total energy
d. eccentricity
e. perigee velocity
f. apogee velocity
g. the maximum time that Glenn would be in communication range (in
view) of a ground station at any time during the orbit (this would be
at apogee)