SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -What happens if a satellite is launched vertically and released at its design altitude? Explanation: If a satellite were launched vertically from the earth and then released, it would fall back to earth because of gravity. For the satellite to go into orbit around the earth, it must have some forward motion.

Detailed explanation-2: -A satellite’s orbital velocity will also depend on its altitude. The farther it is from the Earth, the slower its orbital velocity. At an altitude of 22, 223 miles, a satellite remains at a fixed spot above the Earth, a type of orbit that is known as ‘geostationary’.

Detailed explanation-3: -As mentioned above, the force of gravity does work upon a satellite to slow it down as it moves away from the earth and to speed it up as it moves towards the earth.

Detailed explanation-4: -Assertion: if an earth satellite moves to a lower orbit, there is some dissipation of energy but the satellite speed increases. Reason: The speed of satellite is a constant quantity. A satellite orbits the earth at a height of 1000 km.

Detailed explanation-5: -Atmospheric drag at orbital altitude is caused by frequent collisions of gas molecules with the satellite. It is the major cause of orbital decay for satellites in low Earth orbit. It results in the reduction in the altitude of a satellite’s orbit.

Detailed explanation-6: -Satellites are able to orbit around the planet because they are locked into speeds that are fast enough to defeat the downward pull of gravity.

Detailed explanation-7: -Satellites in high Earth orbit require the most energy to reach their destination. Satellites in a highly inclined orbit, such as a polar orbit, take more energy than a satellite that circles the Earth over the equator. A satellite with a low inclination can use the Earth’s rotation to help boost it into orbit.