The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) travels in a circular orbit above the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing astronomers to conduct aberration-free measurement. The HST has a mass of 11,110 kg. (a) The HST completes one circular orbit around Earth in 5725 s. How high is its orbit above the surface of the Earth? (b) The HST is estimated to have a lifetime of about 15 more years before crashing into the earth due to atmospheric drag. Estimate how much work the atmosphere does per circular orbit on the HST.Assume the work done and the period are the same for each revolution (realistically both of these quantities would change as the orbital radius decreased).

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) travels in a circular orbit above the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing astronomers to conduct aberration-free measurement. The HST has a mass of 11,110 kg.

(a) The HST completes one circular orbit around Earth in 5725 s. How high is its orbit above the surface of the Earth?

(b) The HST is estimated to have a lifetime of about 15 more years before crashing into the earth due to atmospheric drag. Estimate how much work the atmosphere does per circular orbit on the HST.Assume the work done and the period are the same for each revolution (realistically both of these quantities would change as the orbital radius decreased). 

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Stellar evolution
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON