Math Problem Statement

A satellite is tracked by ground stations and determined to have an altitude of 1800 km and velocity vector whose radial and transverse components are -5 km/s and 6 km/s at a specified time t = to. The eccentricity of the orbit is (where R6400 km and µ = 398601 km³/s²) the eccentric anomaly at the time t0 is the areal velocity of the satellite is

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to determine the orbital parameters using the given information and then calculate the eccentricity, eccentric anomaly, and areal velocity. Let's break it down into steps:

Given:

  • Altitude: h=1800kmh = 1800 \, \text{km}
  • Radial velocity: vr=5km/sv_r = -5 \, \text{km/s}
  • Transverse velocity: vt=6km/sv_t = 6 \, \text{km/s}
  • Radius of the Earth: R=6400kmR = 6400 \, \text{km}
  • Gravitational parameter: μ=398601km3/s2\mu = 398601 \, \text{km}^3/\text{s}^2
  • Radius from the Earth's center: r=R+h=6400km+1800km=8200kmr = R + h = 6400 \, \text{km} + 1800 \, \text{km} = 8200 \, \text{km}

Step 1: Determine the eccentricity of the orbit

The specific orbital energy ϵ\epsilon is given by: ϵ=v22μr\epsilon = \frac{v^2}{2} - \frac{\mu}{r} where the total velocity vv is given by: v=vr2+vt2v = \sqrt{v_r^2 + v_t^2}

The semi-major axis aa can be found using the specific orbital energy: ϵ=μ2a\epsilon = -\frac{\mu}{2a}

Step 2: Calculate the eccentricity ee

The eccentricity ee is related to the radial velocity vrv_r, transverse velocity vtv_t, semi-major axis aa, and the gravitational parameter μ\mu by: e=1+2ϵh2μ2e = \sqrt{1 + \frac{2\epsilon h^2}{\mu^2}}

Step 3: Determine the eccentric anomaly EE

The eccentric anomaly EE can be found using the relationship between the true anomaly θ\theta, eccentricity ee, and rr: tan(θ2)=1+e1etan(E2)\tan\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right) = \sqrt{\frac{1+e}{1-e}} \tan\left(\frac{E}{2}\right)

Step 4: Calculate the areal velocity

The areal velocity Areal Velocity\text{Areal Velocity} is given by: Areal Velocity=r×vt2\text{Areal Velocity} = \frac{r \times v_t}{2}

Let's calculate these values.Here are the calculated results:

  1. Semi-major axis aa: 11,005.07km11{,}005.07 \, \text{km}
  2. Eccentricity ee: 0.66950.6695
  3. Areal velocity: 24,600km2/s24{,}600 \, \text{km}^2/\text{s}

To find the eccentric anomaly EE at the time t0t_0, we would need the true anomaly or additional information about the satellite's position relative to the perigee. However, with the current data, the above values summarize the satellite's orbit and its dynamic properties.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions you might find interesting:

  1. How does the eccentricity impact the shape of the orbit?
  2. What would the orbital period be given the semi-major axis aa?
  3. How is the areal velocity connected to Kepler's second law?
  4. How does the radial velocity affect the satellite's motion over time?
  5. What would happen to the orbit if the transverse velocity were doubled?

Tip: The eccentricity ee of an orbit determines how elliptical the orbit is, with e=0e = 0 being a perfect circle and e1e \to 1 being a highly elongated ellipse.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Orbital Mechanics
Kepler's Laws
Eccentricity
Specific Orbital Energy

Formulas

Specific orbital energy: $\epsilon = \frac{v^2}{2} - \frac{\mu}{r}$
Eccentricity: $e = \sqrt{1 + \frac{2\epsilon h^2}{\mu^2}}$
Areal Velocity: $\text{Areal Velocity} = \frac{r \times v_t}{2}$

Theorems

Kepler's Second Law

Suitable Grade Level

Advanced Undergraduate