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Satellites' motion around Earth

Satellites' motion around Earth

Satellites are objects that orbit around a larger celestial body, such as a planet or a star. There are different types of orbits, depending on the shape, size, and orientation of the path that a satellite follows. Satellites can be natural, like the Moon, or artificial, like communication or navigation satellites.

Circular and elliptical orbits

Circular and elliptical orbits

A circular orbit is a type of orbit where a satellite moves at a constant speed and altitude around a central body, such as Earth. The distance between the satellite and the center of the body remains the same, and the orbit is symmetrical.

An elliptical orbit is a type of orbit where a satellite moves at varying speeds and altitudes around a central body, such as Earth. The distance between the satellite and the center of the body changes, and the orbit is asymmetrical. The shape of an elliptical orbit is described by its major and minor axes, which are the longest and shortest diameters of the ellipse, respectively.

Satellite masses and orbits

Satellite masses and orbits

In this scenario, there are three satellites orbiting around Earth. One of them follows a circular orbit, while the other two follow elliptical orbits with major axes equal to the diameter of the circular orbit. The masses of the satellites are the same. Based on this information, we can make some observations and predictions:

- The circular orbit satellite moves at a constant speed and altitude, since it experiences a balanced gravitational force from Earth.
- The elliptical orbit satellites move at varying speeds and altitudes, since they experience a changing gravitational force from Earth. They will move faster when closer to Earth and slower when farther away.
- The elliptical orbit satellites will reach their highest and lowest altitudes at the ends of their major axes, where they are farthest and closest to Earth, respectively.
- The elliptical orbit satellites will spend more time at their higher altitudes, since they move slower there, and less time at their lower altitudes, since they move faster there. This means that the elliptical orbit satellites will spend more time away from Earth than the circular orbit satellite.
- The elliptical orbit satellites will experience a stronger gravitational force from Earth at their closest approach, since the force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the two objects. This means that the elliptical orbit satellites will accelerate more at their closest approach and decelerate more at their farthest point, compared to the circular orbit satellite.

Conclusion

This scenario illustrates some of the differences between circular and elliptical orbits, and how the mass and major axis of a satellite affect its motion around Earth. Depending on the purpose of the satellites, such as communication, surveillance, or scientific research, different types of orbits may be preferred or required.