Question

f NASA wants to put a satellite in a circular orbit around the sun so it will make 2.0 orbits per year, at what distance (in astronomical units, AU) from the sun should that satellite orbit

Answer 1

r = 0.63 AU

Step-by-step explanation:

In this question, we are interested in calculating the distance from the sun that the satellite should orbit.

From the question;

given time period of satellite is T = 0.5 year

Mathematically;

T is directy proportional to r^3/2

Hence;

T = constant * r^3/2

0.5/1 = r^1.5 / 1^1.5

( 1 is the the distance of the earth’s orbit to the sun in AU)

r = 0.63 AU