The point in an orbit that is closest to the Earth.
What is the projection of a satellite's orbit onto the earth, represented in a 2D map called?
A satellite designed to take images to monitor the polar ice caps would have an inclination of ___ degrees.
A satellite crosses the equator in a northerly direction at 0 degrees longitude. On its next northerly pass over the equator it crosses at 23 degrees west longitude. How many minutes did it take this satellite to complete one orbit?
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
Describes the size of an orbit. For circular orbits, altitude is often used in place of this term. | arrow_right_alt | Inclination |
The point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth. | arrow_right_alt | Eccentricity |
The measure of how circular or elliptical an orbit is. | arrow_right_alt | Semi-Major Axis |
The point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is the closest to the center of the earth. | arrow_right_alt | Apogee |
The "tilt" of the orbit relative to the equator. | arrow_right_alt | Perigee |
Which orbital parameter must use a reference point in space, because an earth based reference point will move as the earth rotates?
_________________ is the angle between the Earth’s equatorial plane and the
plane of the orbit. It describes the tilt of the orbit.
An orbit with an inclination of 0 degrees is called:
An argument of perigee would be easiest to see in a picture of an orbit with which eccentricity?
This philosopher was the first to propose heliocentric theory.
This philosopher believed that everything rotates around the Earth.
To make the pictured ellipse more circular, you should move foci A and B _________.
Many of Kepler's theories were based on the documentation of this philosopher that he worked with for a short time.
Both size (semi-major axis and/or altitude) and eccentricity play an important role in determining the period of the orbit.
Which of the following orbital parameters describes the size and shape of the orbit?
Label each ellipse with the correct eccentricities.
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
C | arrow_right_alt | 0 |
A | arrow_right_alt | 0.7 |
B | arrow_right_alt | 0.4 |
Who developed the Keplerian Element Set which describes the orbital parameters of satellites' orbits?
Label the position indicated with the A in the pictured orbit.
A circular orbit has an apogee roughly twice the altitude of its perigee.
What two details of a satellite's orbit can be determined from examining a ground trace?
Kepler has two different sets of laws of orbital motion. One set applies to planets orbiting the Sun, and the other set applies to man-made satellites orbiting the Earth.
The value of which orbital parameter is 0 when the satellite is at its perigee point and 180 when the satellite is at apogee?
All circles are ellipses and all ellipses are circles.
Which is NOT one of the six elements of the Keplerian element set?
What is the name of the "radii" labelled A in the pictured ellipse?
An object is moving slowest at apogee.
The Voyager 1 spacecraft was launched in 1977 to explore the solar system and beyond. In 2008, it was entering the region between our solar system and interstellar space known as the heliosheath. It is the furthest manmade object from the Eatch and it continuing its journey into the unknown. Based on what you have learned about orbital elements, the eccentricity of Voyager is greater than 1.
This scientist was the first to use a telescope to help prove heliocentric theory.
Which of the following missions would probably use a polar orbit?
A geostationary satellite is called such because it is a satellite that doesn't move.
There is only one specified altitude for LEO (low earth orbit) satellites.
Why is there a ring of satellites around the Earth's equator roughly 22,000 miles away form the Earth?
You have recently moved to Australia. You took your satellite TV dish with you. When you mount it to your new house, in which direction should it face?
The lunar missions were LEO orbits.
Russia uses the Molniya orbit frequently. Which of the following countries could also benefit from this type of orbit?
The country of Ecuador rests on the equator. Why would a geostationary satellite not be a good choice for a satellite to take images of Ecuador?
Groups of satellites in various orbits that work together to accomplish a mission are called constellations.
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
Polar | arrow_right_alt | Short orbital period of approx 90 minutes |
Molniya | arrow_right_alt | Period equals one day |
Low Earth Orbit | arrow_right_alt | Highly inclined AND highly elliptical orbit |
Geostationary | arrow_right_alt | Inclination of 90 degrees |
A Sun-synchronous orbit is a special type of polar orbit.
Which of the following men was responsible for the Laws of motion and gravitation?
A satellite is: (Select all that apply)
This is the ONLY PARAMETER that determines the orbital period.
An orbit with an inclination of 90 degrees is called:
Kepler's First Law states that:
Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion states that "A line joining a planet and its star sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time." Using this information, if a satellite's orbit is not circular, which of the following are true?