Questions tagged [artificial-satellite]
Questions about objects in orbit which are human made, such as communications and GPS satellites, orbital observatories and space stations, and other man-made object in permanent or semi-permanent orbits around the Earth, other celestial objects, aside from the Sun, or even other satellites. Not to be confused with non-orbited man-made objects in space, that are usually referred to as "probes", or simply "spacecraft".
897 questions
11 votes
2 answers
2k views
Could satellites be made to fly in a formation that creates a moving image when viewed from earth?
Could a group of satellites be put into orbit such that they form a 2d shape that moves across the sky? I have tried to research satellite constellations but I can't figure out if they just work ...
7 votes
1 answer
454 views
Best practices for applying second surface mirrors (OSRs) on satellite radiators – tape vs foil?
I’m a student currently working on my thesis about the application of second surface mirrors (optical solar reflectors, OSRs) in spacecraft thermal control systems, particularly for high-power GEO ...
- 71
-1 votes
1 answer
133 views
Rejecting disturbance in satellite using Reaction Wheel
I am trying reject distrbance in satellite using Reaction Wheel. I use follow dynamic for Reaction Wheel. The relationship between the angular momentum of \acrshortpl{rw} ($L$) and the applied torque (...
- 39
4 votes
0 answers
50 views
How to get the Sun and Moon positions from the GMAT Python API? Is using “proxy spacecraft” the correct method?
I’m using the GMAT Python API to propagate a spacecraft in an Earth-centered frame, and I need to get the Sun and Moon positions at each propagation step. However, the Python API doesn’t seem to ...
- 41
0 votes
1 answer
113 views
How to calculate a delta-v to match orbital planes from two state vectors
I’m working on a 3D program, and I'm trying to get two independent satellites to match orbital planes (at least close enough for a 3D visual). I cannot get anything to work. Here’s the problem: Given ...
- 31
1 vote
1 answer
136 views
Was TESS an opportunity for a "big dumb satellite"?
TESS weighed an order of magnitude less than the dry mass of the Falcon 9 second stage, used virtually none of the fayring space, yet cost more than twice as much as the entire launch. This is strange....
- 3,712
4 votes
3 answers
3k views
What would a "big dumb satellite" be like?
One of the key premises of the BDB/RLV model is that it will lead to cheap, low tech, but relatively heavy spacecraft designs. To avoid being too broad for the guidelines, I will narrow the question ...
- 3,712
5 votes
2 answers
1k views
A Dawn Mk-ll Aurora spaceplane launches a satellite, can it reach GEO/LEO on it’s own?
The Dawn Mk-ll Aurora spaceplane can reach ~20km height, can a 10kg artificial satellite launched from it continue its way to GEO using its own propulsion system after being separated from the ...
- 165
-5 votes
1 answer
231 views
Besides rockets, what other methods exist or are being developed to put satellites into orbit? [duplicate]
Are there alternatives to rockets for launching satellites into orbit? If yes, how would such a satellite differ from conventional satellites and launch vehicles? Can an airplane reach orbit and ...
- 165
0 votes
2 answers
255 views
Can an electromagnetic field provide protection against space debris?
Can an electromagnetic field surrounding a satellite provide protection against space debris so it does not even touch it?
- 165
3 votes
1 answer
184 views
GMAT: Is there a way to specify an ENU frame centered on a satellite?
That's the question! I tried to create a topocentric frame, centered on a satellite, but got the following error: ...
- 31
8 votes
1 answer
1k views
Kosmos 482 altitude is below perigee?
I noticed an anomaly while tracking Kosmos 482; a PE of 134.8 but an altitude of 131.8. A minute later I got a screen-grab so you can see it. PE is 134.8 and altitude is 132.15 and rising in the ...
- 946
4 votes
3 answers
324 views
How to estimate the orbital height from the time it takes a satellite to cross the sky?
Let's say it takes 5 minutes for the little "star" I observe at night to cross the sky from horizon to horizon. If one assumes a circular orbit and that the object in question is indeed in ...
- 209
18 votes
3 answers
4k views
Why disable Gaia?
March 27, Gaia was disabled and sent to a solar orbit. I understand why ESA send it to a solar orbit (Kessler Syndrome), but I don’t understand why ESA had disable the spacecraft. Is there some risk ...
12 votes
3 answers
4k views
How is maintenance, repair and refueling done on satellites currently?
Satellites can be monumentally expensive. Surely companies don't always accept them being decommissioned due to damage, decay or deorbiting. How are these handled currently?
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