The Geometry of Orbits

Science and Technology · 10 questions

Questions on satellite orbit types and basic concepts in orbital mechanics.

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1. In which orbit class are most GPS satellites located?

   1. Medium Earth Orbit
   2. Low Earth Orbit
   3. Geostationary Orbit
   4. Highly elliptical orbit
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   A) Medium Earth Orbit

2. A geostationary satellite's orbital period matches which rotation period of Earth?

   1. Lunar month
   2. Year
   3. Sidereal day
   4. Solar day
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   C) Sidereal day

3. In a sun-synchronous orbit, what does the precession of the orbital node match?

   1. Lunar orbital precession
   2. Earth's axial precession
   3. Satellite orbital period
   4. Apparent solar motion
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   D) Apparent solar motion

4. What is the approximate altitude of geostationary orbit above the equator?

   1. 35,786 km
   2. 100,000 km
   3. 2,000 km
   4. 20,200 km
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   A) 35,786 km

5. Over which region does a Molniya-type orbit provide a long dwell time?

   1. Southern Hemisphere
   2. South polar region
   3. Northern Hemisphere
   4. Equatorial region
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   C) Northern Hemisphere

6. Between which orbits is an ideal Hohmann transfer used?

   1. A polar and a sun-synchronous orbit
   2. Coplanar circular orbits
   3. Two highly elliptical orbits
   4. Inclined polar orbits
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   B) Coplanar circular orbits

7. What is the eccentricity of a circular orbit?

   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 0.5
   4. 0
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   D) 0

8. What is the approximate inclination of a polar orbit relative to the equatorial plane?

   1. 90°
   2. 45°
   3. 0°
   4. 180°
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   A) 90°

9. In an elliptical orbit, how does a satellite move at its farthest point from Earth compared with its nearest point?

   1. At the same speed
   2. At rest
   3. More quickly
   4. More slowly
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   D) More slowly

10. What is the name for the nearest point to Earth in an elliptical Earth orbit?

    1. Apogee
    2. Perigee
    3. Ascending node
    4. Orbital inclination
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    B) Perigee