The former Soviet Union launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik,

Question

The former Soviet Union launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. Its mass was 84 kg and it made one orbit every 96 minutes.

(a) Determine the altitude of Sputnik's orbit above Earth's surface, assuming circular orbits.

(b) What was Sputnik's weight in orbit and at the Earth's surface? The former Soviet Union launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. Its mass was 84 kg and it made one orbit every 96 minutes.

(a) Determine the altitude of Sputnik's orbit above Earth's surface, assuming circular orbits.

(b) What was Sputnik's weight in orbit and at the Earth's surface?

Explanation / Answer

T = 2*pi*r^(3/2)/(sqrt(GM)

96*60 = (2*3.14*r^(3/2) /(6.67*10^-11*5.97*10^24)

r = 11024577.25 m

R+h = 11024577.25 m

h = 4.644577*10^6 m



b) on earth W = m*g = 84*9.8 = 823.2 N

in orbit W' = m*g' = m*G*Me/r^2 = G*M*m/r^2 = 275.204519 N

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