Assignment-I and Its Solution

Instructions

i. Multiple choices of each questions are marked as A to D. One of the choices is

unambiguously correct. Choose the most appropriate one amongst the given choices.

ii. Assume spherical earth with average radius of 6378 Km unless specified.

1. Determine the rise in antenna noise temperature ∆T during sun conjunction for 3
GHz receiver with antenna efficiency of 60% and beam width of 40 .

A. 2.274K
B. 22.74K
C. 227.4K
D. 22274K

Solution:
The generic equation for rise in antenna noise temperature is ∆T = P ηTs D 2 . Here
P = 0.5 as the sun generates random polarization, η = 0.6, antenna efficiency.
The temperature of the sun, Ts = 0.12 × 106 × f −0.75 K, where f is measured in GHz.
So, Ts = 0.12 × 106 × 3−0.75 = 52642.97K.
The value of Ds = 0.48
θ
= 0.12. Hence, by utilizing the formula given above, we get
∆T = 227.4K. Hence the appropriate option is C.

2. A Satellite is orbiting in an elliptical orbit with apogee height at 20000 Km and perigee
height at 400 Km. The ratio of velocity at perigee to that at apogee will be

A. 3.89
B. 7.07
C. 15.15
D. 2.56

Solution:
It is mentioned that the orbit has apogee height at 20000 Km and perigee height at
400 Km. So, the distance of apogee from the center of the earth can be calculated as
ra = 20000 + 6378 = 26378 Km. Similarly, the distance of perigee will be 400 + 6378 =
6778 Km. The semi major axis can be calculated as r = raq+r 2
p
= 16578Km. So, the
2
vp − r1
rp 0.01532
ratio of velocity at the perigee to that of at apogee is va
= q
2
= 3.93×10−3
= 3.89.
ra
− 1r
So, the appropriate option is A

3. A satellite is orbiting in a circular orbit which is 1000 Km away from the surface of the
earth. Then how many times in a day, the satellite will be overhead from a particular
location on the earth.

A. 16 times
B. 15 times
C. 14 times

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 D. 13 times

Solution:
The satellite is orbiting in a circular orbit with height 1000 Km from the surface of
the earth. So, the distance from the center of the earth
q is 1000 + 6378 = 7378 Km.
4π 2 r 3
According to the Kepler’s Law, orbital period T = 3.986×105
= 6306.9472 seconds.
86400
Hence, the number of times the satellite will be overhead is 6306.9472 ≈ 13 times. As,
the fractional times we cannot see a satellite overhead. So, the appropriate option is
D.

4. A satellite is orbiting in an elliptical orbit. Thus a generic conclusion can be drawn as

A. the velocity at apogee is greater than that of perigee

B. the velocity at apogee is less than that of perigee
C. velocity at perigee is minimum
D. velocity at apogee is maximum

Solution:
The apogee is the furthest point and perigee is the closest point from a focus of an
ellipse. According to Kepler’s Law any elliptical body covers same area in a specific
time. Mathematically,
q the velocity at a particular point of an elliptical orbit can be
ra +rp
written as v = µ[ 2r − a1 ]. Where, a = 2
. As ra > rp , therefore, vp > va . So, the
appropriate option is B.

5. Determine the orbital height in Km of a satellite orbiting in a circular orbit with

orbital period of a sidereal day.

A. 42164 Km
B. 36712 Km
C. 42379 Km
D. 35786 Km

Solution:
2 1
Applying the Kepler’s Law, r = [ T4πµ2 ] 3 . Where, T =Orbital period, µ = 3.986 ×
105 km3 /s2 and r =Orbital height from the center of the earth. Now, it is mentioned
2 5 1
in the question that, T = 86164s. So, r = [ 86164 ×3.986×10
4π 2
] 3 = 42164.12 Km. So, the
orbital height is 42164 − 6378 = 35786 Km. So, the appropriate option is D.

6. The difference between the farthest and the closest point in a satellite’s elliptical orbit
from the surface of the earth is 30000 Km, and the sum of the distances is 50000 Km,
if the mean radius of the earth is considered to be 6400 Km, determine the eccentricity
and length of semi-major axis of the orbit.

A. 0.32 & 31500 Km

B. 0.48 & 31400 Km
C. 0.61 & 31500 Km
D. 0.27 & 31400 Km

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 Solution:
The apogee and perigee distances are measured from the center of the earth. Now in
the question, it is given that, Apogee-perigee=30000 Km (due to subtraction the radius
of the earth is cancelled). Now apogee+perigee =50000 + (2 × 6400) = 62800Km. Now
Apogee-Perigee
the orbit eccentricity can be calculated as e = apogee+perigee = 0.478. Now solving the
previous two equations we get apogee distance as 46400 Km. Hence, the semi-major
axis of the satellite orbit is Apogee Distance+Perigee
2
Distance
= 62800
2
= 31400Km. So, the
appropriate choice is B.
7. A satellite is in a circular equatorial orbit moving in the same direction as of earth
rotation with a period 24 hours exactly. Determine the rate of drift of sub-satellite
point around the equator in degrees per solar day.
A. 0.5 degree towards east
B. 0.5 degree towards west
C. 0.98 degree towards west
D. 0.98 degree towards east
Solution:
The orbital period is greater than the one sidereal day. The earth is rotating around its
axis from west to east. As the orbital period is more than a sidereal day, satellite will
be rotating slower than that of the earth. Therefore, the sub satellite point would move
towards west. Hence, the amount of shift can be determined as 360 × 86400−8616486400
=
0
0.983 . Hence, the appropriate option is C.
8. Determine the visibility arc on earth equator from the satellite located at 870 E in the
geostationary orbit
A. 5.70 E to 168.30 E
B. 870 E to 168.30 E
C. 163.30 W to 8.70 W
D. Cannot be determined
Solution:
For the maximum visibility arc, the line joining the satellite and the visibility point
on the earth will create tangent on the earth’s surface. Therefore, the angle between
the line joining the satellite and center of the earth and that joining the center of the
earth and the location on the earth’s surface ,α can be determined as,
re
α = cos−1
re + rh
6378
= cos−1 [ ]
6378 + 36000
= 81.340

Hence, the arc will be in between 87 − 81.3 = 5.70 E to 87 + 81.3 = 168.30 E. So the
correct option is A
9. A satellite is moving in an elliptical orbit with the semi major axis equals to 24571
Km. If the perigee distance is 6978 Km, find the apogee height and orbit eccentricity

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 A. 30000 Km, 0.62
B. 42164 Km, 0.9
C. 35786 Km, 0.72
D. 42164 Km, 0.72

Solution:
It is mentioned that the satellite orbit has semi major axis 24571 Km. The semi major
axis,a is half of the sum of distance of apogee(ra ) and that of perigee(rp ). Hence,
ra + rp
a=
2
ra = 2a − rp
= 49142 − 6978
= 42164Km

Hence, the apogee height would be 42164 − 6378 = 35786 Km and the eccentricity,e =
ra −rp
2a
= 42164−6978
49142
= 0.72. So, the correct one is C.

10. An earth station at IIT Kharagpur campus (220 N,870 E) is pointing towards INSAT
located at 930 E. Select the correct option for the Earth station’s elevation, azimuth
and distance to the satellite. Assume the radius of the spherical earth=6378 Km and
orbit height of INSAT is 35786 Km.

A. Elevation=63.340 , Azimuth=164.330 and Distance=36367km

B. Elevation=31.340 , Azimuth=195.670 and Distance=42475km
C. Elevation=63.340 , Azimuth=165.670 and Distance=37164km
D. none of these

Solution:
Given, Latitude of IITKGP=LB=220 N, Longitude of IITKGP=lB=870 E, Latitude of
INSAT, LA=00 N and Longitude of INSAT=lA=930 E. Let the central angle be γ. So,
we know that,

cos(γ) = cos(LB) cos(LA) cos(lA − lB) + sin(LB) sin(LA)

= 0.9221

So, γ = 22.76430 . Now applying p the triangular law,

re2 +rs2 −d2
cos γ = 2re rs and hence, d = re2 + rs2 − 2re rs cos γ = 36366.85 Km. Now, apply-
ing the sin rule, we can easily calculate the elevation angle EL = 63.3450.

we konow that, tan α = tan tan(L s −Le)

sin(Le )
, where, Ls =LA and Le =LB. So, α = 15.6720 .
as the satellite us in the east of earth station, Az=(1800 − α) = 164.320. So, the
appropriate choice is A.

11. A satellite in circular orbit with 1000 Km orbital height transmits at 2.65 GHz. A
station in the plane of the satellite orbit receives the signal from the satellite when it
is rising from horizon. The Doppler shift of the received signal will be in the range of

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 A. +50 KHz to +55 KHz
B. −50 KHz to −60 KHz
C. +55 KHz to +60 KHz
D. −55 KHz to −65 KHz

Solution:
It is given that the satellite is orbiting at 1000 Km from the surface of the earth. The
p µ q 3.986×105
velocity of the satellite will be v = a = 1000+6378 = 7.35 Km/s.
The component of the velocity towards an observer, located in the orbital plane is
6378
vr = v cos θ. Where cos θ = rer+h
r
= 7378 = 0.6844. Hence, the radial velocity is vr =
7.35 × 0.8644 = 6.36 Km/s. As the satellite rising from the horizon, the Doppler shift
3 ×2.65×109
will be positive. The amount of Doppler shift will be fd = vr c×f = 6.36×103×10 8 =
56180 Hz. Hence, the appropriate option is C.

12. A satellite was launched from a satellite launching pad located at (13.70 N, 80.20 E) with
azimuth 1020 and was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer orbit with perigee at
250 Km and apogee at Geosynchronous height. Determine the minimum incremental
velocity required to place the satellite in Geostationary orbit.

A. 1.63 Km/s
B. 2.64 Km/s
C. 4.56 Km/s
D. none of these

Solution:
In GEO orbit the orbital period is equal to one sidereal day, i.e T = 86164 seconds.
Therefore, from the orbital period
q and using
q Kepler’s Law we can determine the height
3 T 2µ 3 86164×3.986×105
of the GEO orbit. Hence, ra = 4π 2
= 4π 2
= 42164.12 Km.

Now, semi major axis of the elliptical orbit,a can be calculated as a = ra +r 2

p
=
42164.12+6378+250
2
= 24396.08 Km. So, the velocity at the apogee of the orbit can be
q q
2 1 2 1
calculated as va = µ[ ra − a =] = 3.986 × 105 [ 42164.12 − 24396.08 ] = 1.602 Km/s.

Launching is made from non zero latitude with 1020 azimuth angle. GTO plane will
have inclination with earth equatorial plane. Since at GEO orbit inclination with
equatorial plane is zero, launch inclination needs to be corrected. It is given in the
question that the launching pad is located at L = 13.70 and have azimuth of A = 1020 .
Hence, the orbit inclination can be determined by using the following formula,

cos i = sin A × cos L

i = cos−1 [sin A × cos L]
= 18.140

The GEO orbit, being circular one, the velocity of the satellite at the orbit can be
p µ q 3.986×105
calculated as v = a = 42164.12
= 3.074 Km/s

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Now, the incremental velocity can be calculated as

∆vi = [v 2 + va2 − 2vva cos(i)]0.5

= [3.072 + 1.6022 − (2 × 3.07 × 1.602 × cos(18.14))]0.5
= 1.63

Hence, the appropriate option is A.