National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA eClips

TM

Educator Guide

NASA LAUNCHPAD:
Satellite Orbits

Educational Product
Educators & Students

Grades 9-10

EG-2010-06-009-LaRC

www.nasa.gov

eClips SATELLITE ORBITS

National Standards:
National Science Education Standards (NSES)
Earth and Space Science
Structure of the Earth system
Physical Science
Motion and forces
Science and Technology
Understanding about science and technology

educatorguide

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

(NCTM)

NASA eClips

Measurement
Understand measurable attributes of objects
and the units, systems, and processes of
measurement
Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas
to determine measurements

Grade Level:
9-10
Subjects:
Earth and Space Science,
Algebra, Geometry
Teacher Preparation
Time:
30 minutes
Lesson Duration:
Two 55-minute class
meetings
Time Management:
Class time can be reduced
if some work is completed
at home.

Representation
Create and use representations to organize, record and communicate
mathematical ideas
Geometry
Specify locations and describe spatial
relationships using coordinate geometry and other representational systems
Use visualization, spatial reasoning, and
geometric modeling to solve problems
International Society for Technology in Education: National Educational
Technology Standards (ISTE/NETS)
Creativity and Innovation
Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

Lesson Overview:

educatorguide

Students first learn about the purpose, function, and

orbits of satellites. Then, they plot positional data of
several satellites to investigate different satellite orbits.
Students use a globe and scaling to visualize the orbit
and altitude of the International Space Station. Using
real-time data, students record, plot, and analyze
positional information of different satellites to categorize
the satellites orbits. This lesson follows the 5E model
of learning.

NASA eClips

Icons flag five areas of interest or opportunities for

teachers.
TECHNOLOGY highlights opportunities to use
technology to enhance the lesson.
MODIFICATION denotes opportunities to
differentiate the lesson.
RESOURCES relates this lesson to other NASA
educator resources that may supplement or extend
the lesson.
CONNECTIONS identifies opportunities to relate
the lesson to historical references and other topics or
disciplines.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING suggests quick,
formative assessment opportunities.

Essential Questions

Materials List
EXPLORE
Per student

Student Guide
protractor
straight edge
colored pencils

Per group of 2 or 3
globe Note: inflatable
globes may be used

Per class
enlarged diagram from
page 5 of the Student
Guide

EXPLAIN
Per group of 2 or 3
globe (inflatable globes
may be used)
rubber band large enough
to stretch around the globe
ruler
meter stick
protractor
piece of yarn long enough
to wrap around the
equator on the globe
scotch tape

Why dont all satellites fly in the same orbit?

How does a satellite arrive in an orbit and stay there?
EXTEND
What drives scientific and technological advancement? computers with Internet

Instructional Objectives

access
class world map

Students will
learn about the purpose, function, and orbits of
satellites through readings and a video segment;
describe at least four different shapes and types of satellite orbits and the purpose
of each;
plot data and become proficient in measuring angles using a protractor;
use a globe and scaling to investigate the orbit and altitude of the International
Space Station; and

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

5E Inquiry Lesson Development

ENGAGE (15 minutes)
1. Have the class complete a KHWL chart to organize what your students KNOW, HOW
they know this information, and what they WANT TO KNOW about satellite orbits.
Use these questions can help guide the discussion:
a. What do you KNOW about satellite orbits? (Answers will vary. Students may
suggest ideas that are incorrect. Do not correct these ideas at this time. You will
come back to this KHWL chart at the end of the lesson to correct any misconceptions and add more facts. One general student misconception is that an object in
orbit needs thrust to maintain its orbit. This is incorrect. Once an object is in orbit
it keeps going.)
b. Ask students to explain HOW they have learned the information stated about
satellite orbits. (Answers will vary. This is the time to help students consider the
validity of their sources for information.)
c. What do you WANT TO KNOW about satellite orbits? (Answers will vary.
Encourage students to seek answers to their questions beyond this lesson.)

educatorguide

(MODIFICATION) You may choose to have students complete the KHWL chart
individually in a science notebook before sharing their thoughts with the class.

NASA eClips

EXPLORE (25 minutes)

1. Prior to class, enlarge and post the drawing from page 4 of the Student Guide.
2. Divide the class into groups of two or three. Distribute the necessary materials for
the Explore activity to each group.
3. Use a globe to demonstrate how a polar projection is generated.
a. Have students place a globe on a table with the North Pole at the top.
b. Direct them to look down on the globe, placing their eye directly above the North
Pole at a distance so they can see the entire globe.
c. Tell them that this view of a globe, when reproduced on a flat piece of paper, is
called a polar projection because it is a view of Earth from a pole, in this case
the North Pole. Tell them that polar projections can be generated from either the
North or South Pole.
4. Demonstrate how to use the protractor to plot the satellites location. Students align
the 0 and 180 marks on the protractor with the Prime meridian and International
Date Line. The circular hole or mark in the protractor that identifies the vertex of the
angle and should be aligned with the North Pole. Point out to students that for the
Eastern Hemisphere they will need to use the reverse scale to correctly plot the
satellites location. If the protractor is too small to reach the outer circle,
demonstrate how to use a straight edge with the protractor to mark locations.

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

5. Assign each group four of the TDRS satellites below and have them plot each
satellites location on the drawing on page 4 of the Student Guide.
a. TDRS-1 49.0W (black)
b. TDRS-3 275.0W or 85E (dark blue)
c. TDRS-4 41.0W (light blue)
d. TDRS-5 174.0W (purple)
e. TDRS-6 47.0W (green)
f. TDRS-7 150.0W (yellow)
g. TDRS-8 171.5W (orange)
h. TDRS-9 170.0W (red)
i. TDRS-10 150.7W (brown)
(TECHNOLOGY) Students can create their own diagram using geometry software.
(CONNECTIONS) NASA Space Communication and Navigation has developed an
interactive demonstration that will allow you to show students how satellites relay
information and communications. This interactive demonstration is available at
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/3d_resources/spacecomm.html.

educatorguide

NASA eClips

Note: This software must be downloaded and installed on a local computer.

A detailed description of each screen in the program can be found at
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/3d_resources/spacecomm_508.html.

(CONNECTIONS) As noted in the Student Guide, the diagram is not to scale.

Challenge students to calculate the diameter of the circle representing the orbit if
drawn to scale.
Diameter of Earth in diagram 5.70 cm
Actual diameter of Earth 12,740 km
Distance from Earth to satellite orbit 35,800 km
5.70 cm =
x cm
12,740 km
38,500 km
x = 17.2 cm This represents the distance the orbit must be from the surface of
earth in the diagram.
Diameter of orbit = (17.2 x2) + 5.70 = 40.1 cm or 15.8 inches
6. Have each group mark their satellites locations on the enlarged diagram in the color
indicated.
7. (CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING) Lead a class discussion around the data
displayed in the diagram.
a. What pattern do you notice about the satellite locations in the diagram? (All but
one of the satellites are in the Western Hemisphere.)

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

b. Early TDRSS satellites were located in such a way that they were visible only
from the White Sands ground terminal. This created a zone of communications
exclusion over the Indian Ocean. What caused this zone of communications
exclusion? (Radio waves travel in straight lines, so the satellite must maintain a
line of sight with the ground station to communicate with it. White Sands is in the
Western Hemisphere and the Indian Ocean is in the Eastern Hemisphere. A
satellite that has a line of sight to White Sands cannot see the Indian Ocean.)
c. Which satellite was relocated over the Indian Ocean? Which ground station does
it communicate with? How do you know? (TDRS-3 is the only satellite in the
Eastern Hemisphere. It communicates with the Guam Remote Ground Terminal.)

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EXPLAIN (25 minutes)

NASA eClips

In the EXPLAIN activity, students study the orbit of the ISS.

1. Divide students into teams of three. Provide each group with the necessary
materials.
2. Have students complete Part 1 of the activity and answer the questions in the
Student Guide on pages 6 and 7.
3. (CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING) Have students share and explain their
answers to the class.
4. Have students complete steps 1 and 2 of Part 2 on pages 7 and 8 of the Student
Guide.
(MODIFICATION) If individual student computers are not available, project the
animation using an LCD projector. If no internet access is available, use figure 1 to
explain the relationship between velocity and orbit.

Figure 1. The relationship between velocity and orbit.

Image credit: Windows to the Universe, http://www.windows.ucar.edu

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

5. (TECHNOLOGY) Show the NASA eClipsTM video segment Real World: Keeping
the International Space Station in Orbit (5:38) at http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/
nasaeclips/search.html?terms=Station%20in%20Orbit&category=0100 or http://www.youtube.com/user/
NASAeClips#p/c/887C1C3BAAD53F17/0/NpHOlmNtFTQ

(MODIFICATION ICON) The video may be streamed from either web site. The video
may be downloaded from the nasa.gov web site; a captioned version is also
available at the nasa.gov site
6. Have students answer question 3 on page 8 of the Student guide.
7. (CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING) Have students share and explain their
answers to the class.

EXTEND (40 minutes)

1. (TECHNOLOGY)(RESOURCE) Direct students to the following web site:

educatorguide

http://science.nasa.gov/realtime/

NASA eClips

2. From this site, assign different groups to one of the following satellite tracking sites:
a. Live 2D Satellite Tracking Maps Students may choose to follow astronomy
satellites, Earth observing satellites, weather satellites, and search and rescue
satellites from this link.
b. Human Space Flights Tracking Map Students may follow the space shuttle
(if it is in flight) or the ISS from this site.
c. Live 3D Tracking Display Students can rotate this display to see nearly 900
satellites in orbit.
3. Ask students to choose one satellite to observe. They should record the latitude and
longitude of the satellite every five minutes. Students should collect enough data
points to determine the track of the satellite. It is suggested that students collect at
least seven data points.
4. While they are tracking their satellite, the students should gather more information
about the mission of the satellite as well as the altitude and inclination of the orbit.
Have them compare this information to the background information about satellite
orbits given on page 1 of the Student Guide.
5. Using a class map, have students plot the position of the satellite they have been
following.
(TECHNOLOGY) If available, use an Interactive Whiteboard to plot this data.
Alternately, an image can be projected on a white board with an LCD projector
for students to plot their data.
6. (CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING) Have students present the information they
have gathered about the satellite they have tracked and relate this information to
what they learned in the lesson using the satellite track to support their
presentation.

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

educatorguide

EVALUATE (15 minutes)

NASA eClips

1. Use questions, discussions, and work in the Student Guide to assess students
understanding.
2. Return to the KHWL chart to add more information that students have LEARNED
throughout this lesson. Review the information under the KNOW column. With the
help of the students, correct any misinformation placed there during the ENGAGE
experience.
3. Ask students to summarize their learning by answering these journal questions:
a. Why are different satellites in different orbits? (The orbit of a satellite is dictated
by the satellites mission. Communications satellites such as TDRS are in high
altitude, geosynchronous orbits so they can maintain constant communication
with their associated ground stations. Satellites like the ISS that observe the Earth
are in low altitude orbits so they can collect detailed data about regions of the
Earth. The ISS is also inhabited so it must be low enough to be accessible
by the space shuttle and other servicing space craft.)
b. What is inclination and what effect does it have on a satellites orbit? (Inclination is
the angle of the satellites orbit in relation to the equator. The inclination dictates
how far north and south the satellite will travel as it orbits Earth.)
c. How did you use mathematics to support your investigations? (Geometry is used
to investigate the location of TDRS satellites and the orbit of the ISS. Algebra is
used when scaling in the EXPLAIN activity.)
d. What drives scientific and technological advancement? (Answers will vary but
should include discussion about how new questions arise as we explore the
universe and that the answers to these questions advance scientific knowledge.
In order to find the answers we must develop new technology to enhance our
ability to collect data.)

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

eClips SATELLITE ORBITS

Essential Questions

Why dont all satellites fly in the same orbit?

How does a satellite arrive in an orbit and stay there?
What drives scientific and technological advancement?

studentguide

Background

NASA eClips

An artificial satellite is a manmade object that orbits Earth or some other body in
space. Most artificial satellites orbit Earth. People use them to study the Universe as
well as Earth. Satellites help forecast the weather, transfer telephone calls over the
oceans, assist in the navigation of ships and aircraft, monitor crops and other resources, and support military activities. Artificial satellites have orbited the moon, the
sun, asteroids, and the planets Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. These satellites mainly gather
information about the bodies they orbit.
Satellite orbits have a variety of shapes. Some are circular and some are elliptical, or
oval. Orbits also vary in altitude. Some circular orbits are just above the atmosphere at
an altitude of about 250 kilometers, or 155 miles. Others are more than 32,000 kilometers, or 20,000 miles above Earth. The satellites altitude affects its orbital period.
The orbital period is how long it takes a satellite to complete one orbit. As the altitude
increases, the orbital period lengthens and the slower the velocity of the satellite.
Most of the artificial satellites around Earth travel in high altitude, geosynchronous
orbits; medium altitude orbits; sun-synchronous polar orbits; or low altitude orbits.
Most of these orbits are circular.
A high altitude, geosynchronous orbit lies above the equator at an altitude of about
35,800 kilometers (22,300 miles). A satellite in this orbit travels around Earths axis in
exactly the same time, and in the same direction, as Earth rotates about its axis. As
seen from Earth, a satellite in this type of orbit always appears at the same place in the
sky overhead.
A medium altitude orbit has an altitude of about 20,000 kilometers (12,400 miles) and
an orbital period of 12 hours. The orbit is outside Earths atmosphere and is thus very
stable. Radio signals sent from a satellite at medium altitude can be received over a
large area of Earths surface. This orbit is ideal for navigation satellites.
A sun-synchronous, polar orbit has a fairly low altitude and passes almost directly over
the North and South Poles. The orbits position is coordinated with Earths movement
around the sun in such a way that the satellite always crosses the equator at the same
local time on Earth. In this orbit a satellite flies over all latitudes, so the instruments on
board can gather information on almost the entire surface of Earth.
A low altitude orbit is just above Earths atmosphere, where there is almost no air to
cause drag on the spacecraft. Less energy is required to launch a satellite into this type
of orbit than into any other orbit. Satellites that point toward deep space and provide
scientific information generally operate in this type of orbit. The Hubble Space Telescope, for example, operates at an altitude of about 380 miles (610 kilometers), with an
orbital period of 97 minutes.

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

Vocabulary
artificial satellite - An artificial satellite is a manufactured object that continuously
orbits Earth or some other body in space.
geosynchronous orbit - A geosynchronous orbit is a satellite orbit at approximately
35,800 kilometers above the Equator in which objects travel at the same speed as
Earth. Objects in this orbit remain stationary in reference to Earth.
inclination - Inclination is the angle between a reference plane and another plane or
axis of direction. For an artificial satellite, the reference plane is the Equator. The
inclination of a satellites orbit is the angle that the orbit crosses the Equator. If a
satellite has a 0 inclination then it would be orbiting over the Equator. If a satellite
has a 90 inclination, then its orbit is perpendicular to the Equator and it would pass
over the poles.

studentguide

latitude - Latitude is the number of degrees north or south of the Equator. The
Equator is 0N or S, and the North and South Poles are 90 N and 90 S
respectively. To visualize this think of Earth as a circle divided into 360.

NASA eClips

longitude - Longitude is the number of degrees east or west of the Prime

Meridian, the 0 E or W line going through Greenwich, England and the North and
South Poles. The Prime Meridian divides the globe into eastern and western
hemispheres. It runs between the Poles through the Pacific Ocean on the side of
the globe opposite England. This line is called the International Date Line. Degrees
longitude are 0 E or W at the Prime Meridian and 180 E or W at the International
Date Line.
orbit - An orbit is the path of a celestial body or an artificial satellite as it revolves
around another body.
orbital decay - Orbital decay is the reduction in altitude of a satellites orbit caused by
gravity and drag from the atmosphere.
orbital period - Orbital period is the time it takes a satellite to complete one orbit.
polar orbit - A polar orbit is an orbit in which the satellite passes over the North and
South Poles on each orbit, and eventually passes over all points on Earth.
sun-synchronous polar orbit - A sun-synchronous polar orbit is a special kind of
polar orbit. When traveling in this orbit, a satellite not only travels over the North
and South Poles, but it passes over the same part of Earth at roughly the same time
each day.
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite or TDRS - TDRS is a system of nine
geosynchronous communications satellites. They are used to communicate from
Earth to orbiting satellites, the space shuttle, and the International Space Station.
velocity - Velocity is the speed and the direction of travel of an object. An example
of speed would be, the wind was blowing at 40 miles per hour. Velocity would be
expressed as 40 miles per hour from the SE.

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

EXPLORE
An example of a communications satellite system is the
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, or TDRSS.
The first satellite in this system, TDRS-1, was deployed
by Space Shuttle Challenger in April 1983.
It is 35,800 km, or 22,300 miles, above the Equator and
it orbits Earth in a geosynchronous orbit. From this orbit,
TDRS-1 beams communications from Earth to other
orbiting spacecraft and back. TDRS-1 provided a link for
the first wireless phone call between the North Pole and the
South Pole and the first live webcast from the North Pole. It
also was the first satellite to connect to the Internet.
Today there are nine TDRS satellites within the Tracking and
Data Relay Satellite System. They provide nearly continuous tracking and high-bandwidth communications with many
Earth-orbiting spacecraft, launch vehicles, long duration
balloons, and a research station in Antarctica.

Figure 1. In April 1983,

the first Tracking and Data
Relay Satellite, TDRS-1,
was launched from Space
Shuttle Challengers payload bay on mission STS-6.
Image Credit: NASA

studentguide

Over the last 27 years, the TDRSS network has brought stunning images from the
Hubble Space Telescope to Earth. It has delivered pictures, television, voice and data
from more than 100 space shuttle missions and the International Space Station. The
TDRSS network has delivered large volumes of Earth observation data in support of
Mission to Planet Earth and investigations into global climate change.

NASA eClips

Resources
TDRS: 25 Years of Connecting Space to Earth
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/TDRS_anniversary.html

TDRS Mission Page

http://esc.gsfc.nasa.gov/space-communications/tdrs/101.html

Gather the materials and follow the procedure listed below.

Materials
protractor
straight edge
colored pencils
globe (optional)

Procedure
The following diagram represents a view of Earth from directly above the North Pole and
the orbit of the TDRS satellites. The line of longitude that runs from left to right represents the Prime Meridian at 0 longitude and the International Date Line at 180 longitude. The Prime Meridian begins to the left of the North Pole in the diagram and runs
through Greenwich, England. It then runs through the South Pole and becomes the

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

studentguide

International Date Line. The International Date Line runs through the Pacific Ocean and
through the North Pole, where it becomes the Prime Meridian. For further clarification,
follow this path as you look at a globe from directly above the North Pole.

NASA eClips

Figure 2. View of Earth from directly above the North Pole.

Note: Figure not to scale.

Using a protractor and the satellite information provided by your teacher, mark the
locations of the satellites on the outer circle on the diagram, which represents the
orbital path of the TDRS satellites. Align the 0 and 180 marks on the protractor
with the line running through the diagram. The circular hole or mark on the protractor
identifies the vertex of the angle and should be aligned with the North Pole. To
accurately plot satellite locations in the Eastern Hemisphere use the reverse scale
on the protractor. If your protractor is too small to reach the outer circle, use a
straight edge to help you accurately plot the satellites locations.

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

EXPLAIN

Background

The International Space Station, or ISS, is an orbiting research facility. A small crew
lives on the ISS. More than 15 nations are working together to build this large Earth satellite. The completed station will have a mass of about 472,000 kilograms (1,040,000
pounds). It will measure 111 meters (356 feet) across and 88 meters (290 feet) long,
with almost an acre of solar panels to provide electrical power to its state-of-the-art
laboratories. The first part of the station launched in 1998 and the first full-time crew,
one American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts, occupied the station in 2000. It
follows a low altitude orbit.
The ISS orbits Earth at an altitude of about 400 kilometers, or 250 miles. It orbits at an
inclination of 51.6. This orbit extends from 52 degrees north latitude to 52 degrees
south latitude. In this orbit the ISS can make observations of most of the populated
areas of the world.

Part 1
Working with your team, gather the materials and follow the procedure listed below.

studentguide

Materials

NASA eClips

globe
rubber band large enough to wrap around the globe
ruler
meter stick
protractor
piece of yarn long enough to wrap around the globe
scotch tape

Procedure
1. Wrap a piece of yarn around the globe at the Equator. Tape the yarn to the globe.
2. Place a rubber band around the globe.
3. Imagine that the rubber band is a disk. Move it so that the plane of the disk passes
directly through the Earths center. This will divide the globe into two equal halves.
4. Move the rubber band so that it is at an angle of approximately 52 to the Equator.
Use a protractor to help you create the correct angle. The rubber band now indicates the inclination of the orbit of the ISS. See Figure 3.

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

Figure 3. Drawing of the globe and rubber bands.

Use the globe with the rubber band and yarn around it to answer the following
questions:

studentguide

1. What is the most northern and southern latitude that the orbit passes over?

NASA eClips

2. The ISS orbits about 400 km above Earths surface. How high would the ISS be
above the globe you are using? To find the answer you will have to figure out the
scale of the globe and then determine how high the ISS would be if placed at its
scale altitude. Use the yarn to measure the globes circumference and use the circumference to calculate the globes diameter.
(Hint: the Earths diameter is 12,740 km.)

3. Once you have figured out how high the ISS would be in orbit around your globe,
place your eye at that distance from the globe above the rubber band orbit. Estimate the percentage of the globe that is visible from the orbit based on what you
can see of the globe.

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

4. Place your eye twice the distance from the globe as it was previously in question
3. Estimate the percent of the globe you see now. Continue to back away until you
can see the entire globe. Measure this distance with a meter stick. Use this distance to calculate how far away, in kilometers, a spacecraft must be in order to see
the entire globe at once.

5. The TDRS satellites in the Explore section orbit at an altitude of 35,800 km above
the Equator. How high above your globe would these satellites be?

studentguide

6. The rubber band only passes over a small percentage of earths surface. How is it
that astronauts on board the ISS can observe most of Earths populated regions?

NASA eClips

7. Why do you think that astronauts on board the ISS do not study the Arctic and
Antarctic regions of Earth?

Part 2
1. Go to this web site http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/orbits1.shtml and run the Shoot a
Cannonball into Orbit animation. Use the animation to complete Table 1 on the
following page.

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

Table 1. Effect of Changing Amount of Gunpowder on Cannonball Orbit

Number of bags
of Gunpowder

Observations

1
2
3
4
5

studentguide

2. What happens as the number of bags of gunpowder is increased?

NASA eClips

A satellite remains in orbit because of a balance between the satellites velocity and
the gravitational force between the satellite and Earth. If the velocity of the satellite is
too low, the force of gravity is strong enough to pull the satellite back to Earth. If the
velocity of the satellite is too high, the satellite will overcome the force of gravity and fly
off into space. Since the ISS is in a low altitude orbit, it experiences atmospheric drag
from the air molecules at the top of the atmosphere. Because of this, the altitude of
the ISS drops. This decrease in altitude is referred to as orbital decay.

3. The ISS must be boosted back into space periodically to keep it in orbit but the
TDRS satellites do not. Why is this the case?

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

answerkey
NASA eClips

NASAS LAUNCHPAD: SATELLITE ORBITS

EXPLAIN

Part 1
1. What is the most northern and southern latitude that the orbit passes over?
52 north and south latitude.
2. The ISS orbits about 400 km above Earths surface. How high would the ISS be
above the globe you are using? To find the answer you will have to figure out the
scale of the globe and then determine how high the ISS would be if placed at its
scale altitude. Use the yarn to measure the globes circumference and use the circumference to calculate the globes diameter.
(Hint: the Earths diameter is 12,740 km.)
For a 30.5 cm (12 inch) globe:
circumference = 95.8 cm
diameter = 95.8/ = 30.5 cm
400 km
=
x cm
12,740 km
30.5 cm
x = 0.958 cm

answerkey

3. Once you have figured out how high the ISS would be in orbit around your globe,
place your eye at that distance from the globe above the rubber band orbit. Estimate the percentage of the globe that is visible from the orbit based on what you
can see of the globe.
Answers will vary but should be no more than about 1%.

NASA eClips

4. Place your eye twice the distance from the globe as it was previously in question
3. Estimate the percent of the globe you see now. Continue to back away until you
can see the entire globe. Measure this distance with a meter stick. Use this distance to calculate how far away, in kilometers, a spacecraft must be in order to see
the entire globe at once.
Answers will vary but the distance and percent observed are roughly linear. In order to see the entire 30.5 cm globe, the observers eye must be about 72 cm away.
Therefore:
x km
=
72 cm
12,740 km
30.5 cm
x = 30,100 km (about 18,700 mi)
5. The TDRS satellites in the Explore section orbit at an altitude of 35,800 km above
the Equator. How high above your globe would these satellites be?
35,800 km =
x cm
12,740 km
30.5 cm
x = 85.7 cm
6. The rubber band only passes over a small percentage of earths surface. How is it
that astronauts on board the ISS can observe most of Earths populated regions?
As the ISS is orbit above Earth, Earth is rotating on its axis. This means that the ISS
will fly over different areas of Earth.

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7. Why do you think that astronauts on board the ISS do not study the Arctic and
Antarctic regions of Earth?
Astronauts on board the ISS do not study these regions because the orbit of the ISS
does not bring them over these regions to make observations.
Part 2
Table 1. Effect of Changing Amount of Gunpowder on Cannonball Orbit

answerkey

Number of bags
of Gunpowder

NASA eClips

Observations

The cannonball splashes down just before reaching the Equator.

The cannonball splashes down about 2/3 of the way down the coast of
South America.

The cannonball goes into an almost circular orbit near the surface of
Earth

The cannonball goes into a more elliptical orbit further away from the
surface of earth. It also passes closer to the North pole than the South
Pole.

The cannonball flies off into space.

2. What happens as the number of bags of gunpowder is increased?

The cannonball goes faster and travels further. With a small amount of gunpowder,
the cannonball falls back to Earth. With more gunpowder, the cannonball goes into
orbit. With too much gunpowder the cannonball flies off into space.
3. The ISS must be boosted back into space periodically to keep it in orbit but the
TDRS satellites do not. Why is this the case?
The ISS is in a low altitude orbit so its orbit is affected by the upper atmosphere.
The TDRS satellites are in a high altitude, geosynchronous orbit so that once it is in
orbit it will stay in the same orbit until acted on by an exterior force.

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