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)?
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)?
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.
- 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)?
- 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?)
- How fast will the spacecraft be traveling when it reaches Mars?
- Does the spacecraft need to gain or lose velocity to go into the same orbit as Mars?
Expert Solution

This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
This is a popular solution!
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 4 steps
