De-orbit maneuvers are done to lower the perigee of the orbit to 60miles (or les

Question

De-orbit maneuvers are done to lower the perigee of the orbit to 60miles (or less). Calculate the minimum change in velocity (delta V)required for the Space Shuttle to decrease its altitude to 60 milesif its orbiting with an apogee of 236 miles and a perigee of 220miles above the surface of earth. Use the rule of thumb that belowan altitude of 500 miles, for every two feet per second (fps)change in the orbiting space craft's velocity its altitude willchange by 1 mile. Put your answer in feet per second.

Explanation / Answer

for v = 2 fps, (perigee) = 1 mile to change perigee from 220 miles to 60 miles, v = (220-60) miles *2 fps/mile = 320 fps

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