Introduction to Orbital Mechanics

What is an orbit?

• A closed path around which a planet or satellite travels

• A random path in space

• A fixed point in space

• A type of star.

What shape do satellites orbit Earth as?

• Circle

• Ellipse

• Square

• Triangle

Elliptical orbits remain fixed in space, and Earth spins under a ______ satellite orbit.

• moving

• fixed

• rotating

• shifting

What is an ellipse?

• A three-dimensional shape

• A two-dimensional shape produced by a plane fully intersecting a cone

• A line

• A point.

An ellipse is formed by a plane intersecting a cone. If the plane intersects the cone at an angle perpendicular to the cone’s center line, what special shape is formed?

• Triangle

• Square

• Circle

• Rectangle

Fill in the blank: An ellipse is the ______ shape that is produced by a plane fully intersecting a cone.

• three-dimensional

• two-dimensional

• one-dimensional

Fill in the blank: In an ellipse, the sum of distances from the two foci to any point on the ellipse is ______.

• variable

• constant

• zero

• infinite

Which of the following statements is true about a circle?

• A) A circle is an ellipse with both foci at the same spot.

• B) A circle has two distinct foci.

• C) A circle's foci are always outside the circle.

• D) A circle has no foci.

In an ellipse, 'b' defines 1/2 the ______.

• major axis length

• minor axis length

• distance from the center to a focal point

• radius of the circle

What is 'c' in the context of an ellipse?

• 1/2 the major axis length

• 1/2 the minor axis length

• The distance from the center to a focal point

• The radius of the circle.