Orbits — Set 2
Technology · कक्षाएं · Questions 11–20 of 40
Which force is responsible for keeping a satellite in its orbit?
Correct Answer: C. Gravitational force
Gravity provides the necessary centripetal force to keep a satellite moving in a curved path around a planet. Without this force, the satellite would fly off into space in a straight line. The balance between gravity and the satellite's inertia defines the orbit.
What is the inclination of a satellite in a perfectly Equatorial Orbit?
Correct Answer: C. 0 degrees
An inclination of zero degrees means the satellite's path lies exactly in the plane of the Earth's equator. This is a mandatory requirement for achieving a Geostationary Orbit. High inclination orbits, by contrast, pass closer to the poles.
What happens to the speed of a satellite as its orbital altitude increases?
Correct Answer: D. It decreases.
Satellites in higher orbits require less speed to counteract the weaker pull of gravity at those distances. For instance, LEO satellites move much faster than GEO satellites. This relationship is described by Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
Which type of orbit is usually used for Hubble Space Telescope?
Correct Answer: A. Low Earth Orbit
Hubble operates in LEO at an altitude of about 540 km. This proximity allowed it to be serviced by Space Shuttle missions in the past. Being in space avoids the distortion caused by Earth's atmosphere.
What is a 'Transfer Orbit' used for?
Correct Answer: C. Moving a satellite between two different orbits.
A Transfer Orbit, like the Hohmann Transfer Orbit, is an intermediate path used to shift a spacecraft from one altitude to another. It uses the most fuel-efficient elliptical path to reach the destination. Most GEO satellites are first launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
What name is given to the point in an orbit farthest from the Earth?
Correct Answer: D. Apogee
Apogee represents the maximum distance a satellite reaches from Earth's center in an elliptical orbit. At the apogee, the satellite moves at its slowest speed. It is the opposite of the perigee point.
Which organization defines the standards for allocating positions in the Geostationary Orbit?
Correct Answer: A. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The ITU is a UN agency that manages the international use of radio frequencies and satellite orbits. Since GEO is a limited resource, countries must coordinate to avoid interference. This prevents signal overlaps between neighboring satellites.
The 'Clarke Belt' is another name for which orbit?
Correct Answer: C. Geostationary Orbit
It is named after Arthur C. Clarke, the science fiction writer who first proposed the idea of using GEO for communications in 1945. His conceptual work laid the foundation for modern satellite broadcasting. This belt is located exactly above Earth's equator.
What is the shape of most stable satellite orbits?
Correct Answer: C. Ellipse
According to Kepler's first law, orbits are elliptical with the planet at one of the two foci. Even orbits that appear circular are usually slightly elliptical in nature. A perfect circle is just a special case of an ellipse with zero eccentricity.
Which phenomenon causes satellites in very low orbits to eventually fall back to Earth?
Correct Answer: D. Atmospheric drag
Even at 300-500 km, thin traces of Earth's atmosphere exist, which create friction against the satellite. This drag causes the satellite to lose speed and altitude over time. This process is known as orbital decay.