Satellite Splat: An Inelastic Collision with a Surface-launched Projectile

Abstract

A projectile is launched vertically from the surface of an isolated planet. It collides with and sticks to a satellite of equal mass that is initially moving in a circular orbit around the planet. Conservation of mechanical energy, angular momentum, and linear momentum are used to determine whether the combined object will subsequently crash into the surface of the planet, remain in orbit, or escape. The material is appropriate for undergraduate students in an introductory mechanics course.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 23, 2015
Accession Number
ADA622007

Entities

People

  • Carl E. Mungan
  • Philip R. Blanco

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Angular Momentum
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Circular Orbits
  • Collisions
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Gravitational Fields
  • Linear Momentum
  • Mechanical Energy
  • Momentum
  • Orbits
  • Physics
  • Projectiles
  • Spacecraft
  • Surface Launched
  • Trajectories

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Academic Conference Management
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris