Orbital Spaceflight Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the altitude at perigee required to remain in orbit around Earth?

  • Around 80 kilometers (correct)
  • Around 150 kilometers
  • Around 100 kilometers
  • Around 200 kilometers
  • What is the Kármán line?

  • The altitude at which an object is considered unstable due to atmospheric drag
  • The altitude at which an object reaches space
  • The boundary between aeronautics and astronautics (correct)
  • The altitude at which an object in a circular orbit can complete at least one full revolution without propulsion
  • What is the lowest altitude at which an object in a circular orbit can complete at least one full revolution without propulsion?

  • Approximately 150 kilometers (correct)
  • Approximately 80 kilometers
  • Approximately 200 kilometers
  • Approximately 100 kilometers
  • What distinguishes orbital spaceflight from sub-orbital spaceflights?

    <p>The perigee of a spacecraft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the delta-v required for launch vehicles that use rocket engines for propulsion to achieve orbital spaceflight from Earth?

    <p>About 9.3-10 km/s</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the altitude at which an object in orbit is considered unstable due to atmospheric drag?

    <p>Less than roughly 200 km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three main 'bands' of orbit around the Earth?

    <p>Low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an orbital maneuver?

    <p>The use of propulsion systems to change the orbit of a spacecraft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do returning spacecraft slow down to avoid hitting the ground or burning up?

    <p>Retrofiring of rocket engines or atmospheric drag</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Orbital Spaceflight: Key Facts and Figures

    • An orbital spaceflight places a spacecraft on a trajectory where it could remain in space for at least one orbit.
    • To remain in orbit around Earth requires an orbital speed of ~7.8 km/s and an altitude at perigee around 80 kilometers.
    • The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale has established the Kármán line at an altitude of 100 km as a working definition for the boundary between aeronautics and astronautics.
    • The lowest altitude at which an object in a circular orbit can complete at least one full revolution without propulsion is approximately 150 kilometers due to atmospheric drag.
    • Orbital spaceflight is mostly used to distinguish from sub-orbital spaceflights, where the apogee of a spacecraft reaches space, but the perigee is too low.
    • Orbital spaceflight from Earth has only been achieved by launch vehicles that use rocket engines for propulsion, requiring a delta-v of about 9.3–10 km/s.
    • There are many proposed methods for achieving orbital spaceflight that have the potential of being much more affordable than rockets, such as the space elevator and rocket-assisted aircraft/spaceplanes.
    • SpaceX has demonstrated significant progress in reducing the cost of orbital spaceflight through propulsive landing, reusable rocket booster stage, Dragon capsule, payload fairings, and 3D printing of rocket engines.
    • An object in orbit at an altitude of less than roughly 200 km is considered unstable due to atmospheric drag, and 350 km is a more standard altitude for low Earth orbit.
    • There are three main "bands" of orbit around the Earth: low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO).
    • An orbital maneuver is the use of propulsion systems to change the orbit of a spacecraft.
    • Returning spacecraft have to slow down as much as possible while still in higher atmospheric layers and avoid hitting the ground or burning up, with deceleration provided by retrofiring of rocket engines or atmospheric drag.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of orbital spaceflight with our quiz on key facts and figures! From the Kármán line to low Earth orbit, this quiz covers the basics of what it takes to achieve and maintain orbit around our planet. Whether you're an aspiring astronaut or just curious about space exploration, this quiz will challenge your understanding of the science and technology behind orbital spaceflight.

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