(a) When an object is in a circular orbit of radius r around the earth (mass ), the period of the orbit is T, given by Eq. (13.12), and the orbital speed is given by Eq. (13.10). Show that when the object is moved into a circular orbit of slightly larger radius where its new period is and its new orbital speed is where and are all positive quantities.

(b) The International Space Station (ISS) is in a nearly circular orbit at an altitude of 398.00 km above the surface of the earth. A maintenance crew is about to arrive on the space shuttle that is also in a circular orbit in the same orbital plane as the ISS, but with an altitude of 398.10 km. The crew has come to remove a faulty 125-m electrical cable, one end of which is attached to the ISS and the other end of which is floating free in space. The plan is for the shuttle to snag the free end just at the moment that the shuttle, the ISS, and the center of the earth all lie along the same line. The cable will then break free from the ISS when it becomes taut. How long after the free end is caught by the space shuttle will it detach from the ISS? Give your answer in minutes.

(c) If the shuttle misses catching the cable, show that the crew must wait a time t ‰ˆ T²/ΔT before they have a second chance. Find the numerical value of t and explain whether it would be worth the wait.

Figure 13.12: 

Our sketches for this problem.

Transcribed Image Text:

(b) (a) 21 Projectile, mass m 24 Projectile, mass m r2 = 2RE 1 2= 00 =RE 1 r= RE Earth, mass me Earth, mass me