Geostationary and Polar Satellites - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET

Q7. What is a geostationary satellite? State the conditions necessary for a satellite to be geostationary.

Q8. Calculate the orbital radius of a geostationary satellite. (Given: g = 9.8 m/s², R = 6.4 × 10⁶ m, T = 24 hours)

Q9. Why can't a geostationary satellite be placed directly over Delhi (latitude 28°N)? Explain.

Q10. In your school, a student asks why TV satellite dishes in India point toward the southern sky. Explain using the concept of geostationary orbit.

Q11. What is a polar satellite? Why does it pass over different parts of Earth on successive orbits?

Q12. Compare geostationary and polar satellites on the basis of:

(a) Orbital height

(b) Orbital period

(c) Coverage pattern

(d) Primary uses

Q13. Explain the characteristics and working of geostationary satellites:

(a) Derive the expression for the height of a geostationary orbit

(b) Explain why the orbit must be equatorial and circular

(c) Discuss the advantages for communication

(d) Discuss limitations (latitude coverage, signal delay)

(e) Mention India's geostationary satellites (INSAT series)

Q14. Explain polar satellites and their applications:

(a) Why do they have lower orbits than geostationary satellites?

(b) How do they achieve global coverage?

(c) What are their advantages for Earth observation?

(d) Discuss India's remote sensing satellites (IRS series)

(e) Compare with Sun-synchronous orbits

Q15. Analyse the following scenario: A country wants to establish a satellite-based communication network.

(a) Should they choose geostationary or polar satellites? Give reasons.

(b) How many geostationary satellites are needed for global coverage?

(c) What is the minimum number of polar satellites needed for continuous global coverage?

(d) Discuss the trade-offs between cost, coverage, and latency.

(e) How does India's NavIC system differ from GPS in terms of satellite configuration?

Q16. A geostationary satellite orbits Earth at a height of 36,000 km.

(a) Calculate its orbital velocity.

(b) Calculate the time delay for a signal to travel from Earth to the satellite and back.

(c) A phone call is routed through this satellite. Calculate the minimum noticeable delay.

(d) Why does this delay make geostationary satellites unsuitable for some applications (like online gaming)?

(e) Calculate the angular size of the Earth as seen from this satellite.

Q17. A polar satellite orbits Earth at a height of 800 km.

(a) Calculate its orbital period.

(b) If Earth's rotation period is 24 hours, calculate how much Earth rotates between successive passes over the equator.

(c) Calculate the swath width on Earth's surface if the satellite's field of view is 30°.

(d) How many orbits are needed to cover the entire Earth?

(e) Discuss why polar satellites are preferred for weather monitoring.

Q18. In a school project, students compare satellite TV reception in different Indian cities.

(a) Why do satellite dishes in Chennai (13°N) and Delhi (28°N) point at different elevations?

(b) Calculate the elevation angle for a dish in Delhi if the satellite is at 74°E longitude.

(c) Explain why dishes in the Andaman Islands (12°N) have higher elevation angles.

(d) What happens if a dish is not properly aligned?

(e) Design a simple method to align a satellite dish using a smartphone compass and inclinometer app.