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Surveillance Satellites A surveillance satellite circles Earth
at a height of h miles above the surface. Suppose that d
is the distance, in miles, on the surface of Earth that can
be observed from the satellite. See the illustration on the
following page.
*(a) Find an equation that relates the central angle u to the
height h.
(b) Find an equation that relates the observable distance d
and θ.
*(c) Find an equation that relates d and h.
(d) If d is to be 2500 miles, how high must the satellite orbit
above Earth?
(e) If the satellite orbits at a height of 300 miles, what
distance d on the surface can be observed?