Question

when the first artificial satilite was launched into orbit by the former soviet union in 1957 us president asked his scientific advisors to calculate the mass of the satilite would they have been able to make this calculation?

Answer 1

No, they are not able to make this calculation

Step-by-step explanation:

Acceleration Equation of satellite:

g = (G • Mcentral)/R2 ..............(1)

Acceleration equation of a satellite in circular motion:

a=(G • Mcentral)/R2...................(2)

Newton's form of Kepler's third law .

The period of a satellite (T) and the mean distance from the central body (R) are related by the following equation:

`(T^(2) )/(R^(3) )`=4×
`\pi ^(2)`/G×
`M_(central)`.............(3)

T= the period of the satellite

R= The average radius of orbit for the satellite

G=6.673 x 10-11 N•m2/kg2.

According to all these three equations(1)(2)(3)

The period, speed and the acceleration of an orbiting satellite are independent upon the mass of the satellite.