Orbital Energy Problem
In March 1999 the Mars Global Surveyor (GS) entered its final orbit about Mars, sending data back to Earth. Assume a circular orbit with a period of 1.18 x 10 ##^2## minutes = 7.08 x 10 ##^3## m/s. The mass of the GS is 930 kg and the radius of Mars is 3.43 x 10##^6## m .
A. Calculate the radius of the GS orbit.
B. Calculate the mass of Mars.
C. Calculate the total mechanical energy of the GS in this orbit.
D. If the GS was to be placed in a lower circular orbit (closer to the surface of Mars), would the new orbital period of the GS be greater than or less than the given period?
E. In fact, the orbit of the GS entered was slightly eliptical with its closest approach to Mars at 3.71 x 10 ##^5## m above the surface and its furthest distance at 4.36 x 10 ##^5## m above the surface. If the speed of the GS at closest approach is 3.40 x 10 ##^3## m/s, calculate the speed at the furthest point of the orbit.
A. Calculate the radius of the GS orbit.
B. Calculate the mass of Mars.
C. Calculate the total mechanical energy of the GS in this orbit.
D. If the GS was to be placed in a lower circular orbit (closer to the surface of Mars), would the new orbital period of the GS be greater than or less than the given period?
E. In fact, the orbit of the GS entered was slightly eliptical with its closest approach to Mars at 3.71 x 10 ##^5## m above the surface and its furthest distance at 4.36 x 10 ##^5## m above the surface. If the speed of the GS at closest approach is 3.40 x 10 ##^3## m/s, calculate the speed at the furthest point of the orbit.
Posted by Rick Weaver 6 months ago