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A satellite would have a mass of 270 kg on the surface of Mars. Determine the weight of the satellite in pounds if it is in orbit 15,000 miles above the surface of the Earth.

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Answer:

26 lbf

Step-by-step explanation:

The mass of the satellite is the same regardless of where it is.

The weight however, depends on the acceleration of gravity.

The universal gravitation equation:

g = G * M / d^2

Where

G: universal gravitation constant (6.67*10^-11 m^3/(kg*s))

M: mass of the body causing the gravitational field (mass of Earth = 6*10^24 kg)

d: distance to that body

15000 miles = 24140 km

The distance is to the center of Earth.

Earth radius = 6371 km

Then:

d = 24140 + 6371 = 30511 km

g = 6.67*10^-11 * 6*10^24 / 30511000^2 = 0.43 m/s^2

Then we calculate the weight:

w = m * a

w = 270 * 0.43 = 116 N

116 N is 26 lbf

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