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Satellite Orbital Geometry Problem
Solve the spacecraft orbital geometry shown in the figure using the Law of Sines. Then find the
percentage of earth coverage for a geosynchronous altitude and for an altitude of 300km which is
often the orbital trajectory of the US space shuttle. Solve for elevation angles of 0 and 10 degrees.
Next, we were asked to determine the percentage of signal coverage from two different orbits, a
geo orbit of 35,872km and a space shuttle orbit of 300km.
% of Earth coverage = 0.5 (1 - cos (γ))
h = 35872km and 300km
el = 0 deg and 10 deg
For Elevation = 0 degrees: a Height of 300km = 2.25% coverage, and a Height at Geo = 42.46% coverage
For Elevation = 10 degrees: a Height of 300km = 0.74% coverage, and a Height at Geo = 34.10% coverage
Satellite key words: orbit, geometry, transmission coverage, spaceshuttle orbit, RF transmission, orbit, GEO,
geosynchronous, earth station, station keeping, orbital parameters, signal path, atmospheric attenuation,
path length, line of sight, LOS, ES, uplink, downlink, relay, handoff, handshaking, data pipe, angular dimensions.
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