A planet's speed in orbit is given by     V = (30 km/s)[(2/r)-(1/a)]0.5   where V is the planet's velocity, r is the distance in AU's from the Sun at that instant, and a is the semimajor axis of its orbit.  Calculate the Earth's velocity in its orbit (assume it is circular):        What is the velocity of Mars at a distance of 1.41 AU from the Sun?       What is the spacecraft's velocity when it is 1 AU from the Sun (after launch from the Earth)?

icon
Related questions
Question

A planet's speed in orbit is given by     V = (30 km/s)[(2/r)-(1/a)]0.5   where V is the planet's velocity, r is the distance in AU's from the Sun at that instant, and a is the semimajor axis of its orbit. 

  1. Calculate the Earth's velocity in its orbit (assume it is circular): 

  

  

  1. What is the velocity of Mars at a distance of 1.41 AU from the Sun?

  

  

  1. What is the spacecraft's velocity when it is 1 AU from the Sun (after launch from the Earth)?

  

  

  1. What additional velocity does the launch burn have to give to the spacecraft? (i.e. What is the difference between the Earth's velocity and the velocity the spacecraft needs to have?) 

  

  

  1. How fast will the spacecraft be traveling when it reaches Mars?

  

  

  1. Does the spacecraft need to gain or lose velocity to go into the same orbit as Mars?
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 4 steps

Blurred answer