Spacecraft Trajectories

Description: This quiz tests your knowledge on the subject of Spacecraft Trajectories.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: spacecraft trajectories orbital mechanics spacecraft dynamics
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What is the primary objective of spacecraft trajectory design?

  1. To minimize fuel consumption

  2. To maximize mission duration

  3. To achieve a desired orbit or trajectory

  4. To minimize time of flight


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The primary objective of spacecraft trajectory design is to determine the path that the spacecraft will take to reach its desired destination, while considering factors such as fuel efficiency, mission duration, and safety.

What is the Hohmann transfer orbit?

  1. An elliptical orbit used to transfer between two circular orbits

  2. A circular orbit used to transfer between two elliptical orbits

  3. An elliptical orbit used to transfer between two hyperbolic orbits

  4. A hyperbolic orbit used to transfer between two circular orbits


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Hohmann transfer orbit is an elliptical orbit that is used to transfer a spacecraft from one circular orbit to another circular orbit with a different radius.

What is the purpose of a gravity assist maneuver?

  1. To increase the spacecraft's velocity

  2. To decrease the spacecraft's velocity

  3. To change the spacecraft's direction of travel

  4. To all of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A gravity assist maneuver is a technique used to change the velocity and/or direction of travel of a spacecraft by utilizing the gravitational field of a planet or moon.

What is the difference between a geocentric transfer orbit and a heliocentric transfer orbit?

  1. A geocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two Earth orbits, while a heliocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two orbits around the Sun.

  2. A geocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two orbits around the Sun, while a heliocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two Earth orbits.

  3. A geocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two orbits around the Moon, while a heliocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two orbits around the Sun.

  4. A geocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two orbits around the Sun, while a heliocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two orbits around the Moon.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A geocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two orbits around the Earth, while a heliocentric transfer orbit is used to transfer between two orbits around the Sun.

What is the Lambert's problem?

  1. A method for determining the trajectory of a spacecraft given its initial and final conditions

  2. A method for determining the fuel consumption of a spacecraft given its trajectory

  3. A method for determining the time of flight of a spacecraft given its trajectory

  4. A method for determining the orbit of a spacecraft given its trajectory


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Lambert's problem is a method for determining the trajectory of a spacecraft given its initial and final conditions.

What is the patched conic approximation?

  1. A method for approximating the trajectory of a spacecraft by dividing it into a series of conic sections

  2. A method for approximating the fuel consumption of a spacecraft by dividing its trajectory into a series of conic sections

  3. A method for approximating the time of flight of a spacecraft by dividing its trajectory into a series of conic sections

  4. A method for approximating the orbit of a spacecraft by dividing its trajectory into a series of conic sections


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The patched conic approximation is a method for approximating the trajectory of a spacecraft by dividing it into a series of conic sections.

What is the difference between a ballistic trajectory and a powered trajectory?

  1. A ballistic trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is not under thrust, while a powered trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is under thrust.

  2. A ballistic trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is under thrust, while a powered trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is not under thrust.

  3. A ballistic trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is in orbit, while a powered trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is not in orbit.

  4. A ballistic trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is not in orbit, while a powered trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is in orbit.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A ballistic trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is not under thrust, while a powered trajectory is a trajectory in which the spacecraft is under thrust.

What is the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation?

  1. $Delta v = V_e * ln(m_0/m_f)$

  2. $Delta v = V_e * ln(m_f/m_0)$

  3. $Delta v = V_e * (m_0/m_f)$

  4. $Delta v = V_e * (m_f/m_0)$


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Tsiolkovsky rocket equation is $Delta v = V_e * ln(m_0/m_f)$, where $Delta v$ is the change in velocity, $V_e$ is the effective exhaust velocity, $m_0$ is the initial mass of the rocket, and $m_f$ is the final mass of the rocket.

What is the Oberth effect?

  1. The increase in the specific energy of a spacecraft due to a burn at high velocity

  2. The increase in the specific energy of a spacecraft due to a burn at low velocity

  3. The decrease in the specific energy of a spacecraft due to a burn at high velocity

  4. The decrease in the specific energy of a spacecraft due to a burn at low velocity


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Oberth effect is the increase in the specific energy of a spacecraft due to a burn at high velocity.

What is the difference between a Hohmann transfer orbit and a bi-elliptic transfer orbit?

  1. A Hohmann transfer orbit is a single elliptical orbit, while a bi-elliptic transfer orbit is a combination of two elliptical orbits.

  2. A Hohmann transfer orbit is a combination of two elliptical orbits, while a bi-elliptic transfer orbit is a single elliptical orbit.

  3. A Hohmann transfer orbit is used to transfer between two circular orbits, while a bi-elliptic transfer orbit is used to transfer between two elliptical orbits.

  4. A Hohmann transfer orbit is used to transfer between two elliptical orbits, while a bi-elliptic transfer orbit is used to transfer between two circular orbits.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A Hohmann transfer orbit is a single elliptical orbit, while a bi-elliptic transfer orbit is a combination of two elliptical orbits.

What is the purpose of a phasing maneuver?

  1. To adjust the spacecraft's position in its orbit

  2. To adjust the spacecraft's velocity in its orbit

  3. To adjust the spacecraft's inclination in its orbit

  4. To all of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A phasing maneuver is a maneuver that is used to adjust the spacecraft's position, velocity, and/or inclination in its orbit.

What is the difference between a rendezvous and a docking?

  1. A rendezvous is when two spacecraft come close to each other, while a docking is when two spacecraft physically connect to each other.

  2. A rendezvous is when two spacecraft physically connect to each other, while a docking is when two spacecraft come close to each other.

  3. A rendezvous is when two spacecraft come close to each other in orbit, while a docking is when two spacecraft come close to each other on the surface of a planet or moon.

  4. A rendezvous is when two spacecraft come close to each other on the surface of a planet or moon, while a docking is when two spacecraft come close to each other in orbit.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A rendezvous is when two spacecraft come close to each other, while a docking is when two spacecraft physically connect to each other.

What is the purpose of a deorbit burn?

  1. To reduce the spacecraft's velocity in order to enter a lower orbit

  2. To increase the spacecraft's velocity in order to enter a higher orbit

  3. To change the spacecraft's inclination

  4. To change the spacecraft's argument of perigee


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A deorbit burn is a maneuver that is used to reduce the spacecraft's velocity in order to enter a lower orbit.

What is the purpose of a plane change maneuver?

  1. To change the spacecraft's inclination

  2. To change the spacecraft's argument of perigee

  3. To change the spacecraft's longitude of ascending node

  4. To change the spacecraft's true anomaly


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A plane change maneuver is a maneuver that is used to change the spacecraft's inclination.

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