Satellite orbits and trajectory calculations MCQs – Aerospace

1. What is the primary force that keeps a satellite in orbit around the Earth?
(A) Gravitational force
(B) Magnetic force
(C) Electromagnetic force
(D) Centrifugal force

2. Which orbit is characterized by a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface?
(A) Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
(B) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
(C) Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
(D) Polar Orbit

3. In a circular orbit, what determines the orbital velocity of a satellite?
(A) The satellite’s altitude and Earth’s mass
(B) The satellite’s mass and Earth’s radius
(C) The satellite’s velocity and orbit shape
(D) The satellite’s altitude and orbital period

4. What is the term for the point in a satellite’s orbit where it is closest to the Earth?
(A) Apogee
(B) Perigee
(C) Perihelion
(D) Aphelion

5. Which type of orbit allows a satellite to pass over every point on the Earth’s surface?
(A) Geostationary Orbit
(B) Polar Orbit
(C) Sun-Synchronous Orbit
(D) Inclined Orbit

6. What is the effect of increasing the altitude of a satellite’s orbit on its orbital velocity?
(A) The orbital velocity decreases
(B) The orbital velocity increases
(C) The orbital velocity remains constant
(D) The orbital velocity becomes zero

7. What is the term for the point in a satellite’s orbit where it is farthest from the Earth?
(A) Apogee
(B) Perigee
(C) Perihelion
(D) Aphelion

8. Which orbital element describes the orientation of the orbital plane in space?
(A) Eccentricity
(B) Inclination
(C) Argument of Perigee
(D) Right Ascension of Ascending Node

9. What is the primary characteristic of a polar orbit?
(A) The satellite orbits directly above the poles
(B) The satellite remains fixed relative to the Earth’s surface
(C) The satellite follows a circular path around the Earth
(D) The satellite’s orbit is aligned with the equator

10. Which orbit is commonly used for weather satellites to ensure global coverage?
(A) Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
(B) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
(C) Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
(D) Polar Orbit