All Questions
Tagged with orbital-motion satellites
221
questions
3
votes
1
answer
503
views
How accurate does the ISS's velocity and altitude need to be to maintain orbit?
We know the the ISS is not drifting weightless in space, but rather is constantly falling as it circles the Earth. To do this it must be at a specific altitude and moving with a specific velocity. ...
- 4,783
0
votes
2
answers
82
views
What would happen to the moon's orbit if we reduce (instantaneously) its mass? [closed]
In my opinion the moon's orbit shouldn't change, because an orbiting body is a free falling object and the trajectory of a free falling object is not affected by its mass (because the inertial mass ...
- 17
0
votes
1
answer
62
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Has our knowledge of astrophysics and gravity reached the point where we can accurately calculate Lagrange points?
is it possible for us today given the knowledge we possess of gravity and our success with inserting satellites in to steady/ geosynchronous orbit and any knowledge we have on the relative size (and ...
- 107
0
votes
0
answers
30
views
Better equations for modeling and simulating a halo orbit?
I'm trying to model a halo orbit at low altitude (10m from surface). The satellite is using propulsion to trace the circular halo path. It looks like this "from the top" (the blue ball is ...
- 231
0
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1
answer
48
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Would an Hypothetical Ringworld Positioned Inside the Moon's Orbit Around Earth, gravitationally affect Earth?
If a ringworld were to encircle Earth within the orbit of the Moon, would it induce any gravitational alterations on Earth?
I grasp that inside a circular structure, there might not emerge a ...
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
Elevation angle of LEO satellite as a function of time
Let a point on Earth be denoted with (lon,lat,altitude).
Let a LEO satellite be defined by its altitude and inclination.
I would like to compute the angular speed and elevation as a function of time.
...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
25
views
How does moving the pericenter affect the apocenter?
A perfectly circular orbit of a constant height (distance from the center of mass of the orbited planet) around a perfectly spherical planet with smooth surface and no gravitational anomalies will ...
30
votes
4
answers
10k
views
Why doesn't the Moon disrupt the orbits of geostationary satellites?
If a passing star can jostle comets in the Oort Cloud, why doesn't the Moon disrupt the orbits of high-flying satellites?
Or does it? Maybe the satellites need periodic course corrections?
- 411
0
votes
1
answer
77
views
At what angle should an object be thrown to get it into orbit?
Yes this question is on the internet and has a lot of answers but they all suggest orbital velocity in an ideal circular orbit. I want it for an elliptical orbit. I have a few questions and ...
- 91
1
vote
2
answers
153
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Is a satellite revolving in Earth's orbit also affected by the gravity of the Sun or other planets?
The Earth revolves around the Sun and a satellite also revolves around the Earth. The Sun has a gravitational effect on all celestial bodies, so does it also have an effect on the satellite? If so ...
- 113
5
votes
2
answers
145
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Will a very long space ship orbiting the Earth appear to have gravity to someone inside?
My friends and I have several disagreements about this scenario:
Imagine a rigid cylinder that is the length of the diameter of the earth. At either end of this cylinder is a capsule with a person ...
- 51
2
votes
1
answer
181
views
Basic: calculating a satellites height from its angular speed
A few days ago, while loooking at the night sky, I saw a satellite and I wondered if it would be possible to tell how far it is just by looking at it. The only possible naked-eye measurement that I ...
- 29
0
votes
1
answer
99
views
Number of Geostationary Orbits
It is stated that there is only one geostationary orbit whose height can be calculated using:-
$H = [\frac{GM_ET^2}{4π^2}]^{\frac{1}{3}} - R$
But there can be more than one geostationary orbits if I ...
user355398
25
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Why don't we put satellites into an orbit where there is (almost) no time dilation/contraction compared to Earth's surface?
Consider:
On this image, if I understand correctly, the time dilation diagram is shown depending on the height for circular orbits. First in low orbit, time slows down relative to the surface due to ...
0
votes
2
answers
179
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If the Moon suddenly got heavier/lighter, would it crash into/fly away from the Earth, or would it stabilize at a different orbit?
If the Moon became suddenly gained 20% of its mass, would it come crashing down to the Earth, or would it just stabilize at a lower orbit? Similarly, if it suddenly lost 20% of its mass, would it fly ...
- 1,090