SSPI Orbital Mechanics & Spacecraft Operations 3

Question 1

What is Kepler's third law's relationship between orbital period and semi-major axis?

Accepted Answer

Period squared is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis

Answer

Period is directly proportional to the semi-major axis

Answer

Period is inversely proportional to eccentricity

Answer

Period is proportional to the square root of the altitude

Question 2

What is delta-v (Δv) in the context of spacecraft orbital maneuvers?

Accepted Answer

The change in velocity required to perform an orbital maneuver

Answer

The change in satellite downlink frequency during a maneuver

Answer

The time delay between ground command and satellite execution

Answer

The voltage change in thruster systems during firing

Question 3

What is the primary advantage of a Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) for navigation satellite constellations like GPS?

Accepted Answer

Global coverage with fewer satellites than LEO while avoiding GEO latency

Answer

Lower latency than LEO due to fewer handoffs

Answer

Higher ground resolution for Earth observation

Answer

Avoidance of the Van Allen radiation belts

Question 4

What is orbital inclination drift in GEO satellites caused by?

Accepted Answer

Gravitational perturbations primarily from the Moon and Sun

Answer

Solar radiation pressure from the Sun

Answer

Electromagnetic drag from Earth's ionosphere

Answer

Thermal expansion of the spacecraft structure

Question 5

Which spacecraft attitude control method uses the interaction of a magnetic coil with Earth's magnetic field?

Accepted Answer

Magnetorquer (torque rod) control

Answer

Reaction wheel control

Answer

Cold gas thruster control

Answer

Gravity gradient stabilization

Question 6

What is the purpose of the argument of perigee in describing a satellite's orbit?

Accepted Answer

It specifies the angle between the ascending node and the perigee point within the orbital plane

Answer

It defines the orbital plane's tilt relative to the equator

Answer

It indicates the longitude where the satellite crosses the equator

Answer

It describes the satellite's velocity at the lowest orbital point

Question 7

What is a frozen orbit and why is it used in satellite operations?

Accepted Answer

An orbit with carefully chosen elements so eccentricity and argument of perigee remain nearly constant over time

Answer

An orbit maintained at constant altitude using continuous thrusting

Answer

An orbit that passes over the same ground track every day

Answer

An orbit at very low temperature regions to preserve satellite instruments