ROCKETS AND SATELLITES
A rocket is a vehicle that uses jet propulsion to accelerate without using the
surrounding air. Rockets work based on Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for
every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
COMPONENT PARTS OF ROCKETS
1. Payload Section (Nose Cone)
This is the topmost part of the rocket that carries the satellite,
instruments, or cargo. It is streamlined to reduce air resistance.
2. Guidance System
Contains gyroscopes, accelerometers, and computers that control the
rocket’s direction.
3. Fuel Tanks
Store the fuel (liquid hydrogen, kerosene, or solid propellant) and
oxidizer (liquid oxygen).
4. Combustion Chamber
Fuel and oxidizer mix and burn here to produce hot gases.
5. Rocket Engine (Nozzle)
Expels hot gases at high speed to produce thrust.
6. Stabilising Fins
Help keep the rocket stable during flight.
7. Control Surfaces
Movable vanes that help steer the rocket.
FUNCTIONS OF ROCKETS
1. Launching satellites into
orbit.
2. Space exploration.
3. Delivering cargo to
space stations.
4. Transporting
astronauts.
5. Military applications.
6. Scientific research.
Satellites are objects placed into orbit around Earth or other celestial
bodies for communication, weather monitoring, navigation, and scientific
research.
COMPONENT PARTS OF SATELLITES
1. Power System (Solar Panels)
Converts sunlight into
electrical energy.
2. Communication Antennas
Transmit and receive
signals.
3. Transponders
Receive, amplify, and
retransmit signals.
4. Attitude Control System
Maintains correct
orientation in space.
5. Thermal Control System
Regulates temperature.
6. On-board Computer
Controls all operations.
7. Propulsion System
Used for orbital adjustments.
FUNCTIONS OF SATELLITES
1. Communication.
2. Weather forecasting.
3. Navigation (GPS).
4. Earth observation.
5. Scientific research.
6. Military and security uses.
TYPES OF SATELLITES BASED ON ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Altitude: 180 km to 2,000 km
Period: About 90 minutes
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
Altitude: 2,000 km to 35,786 km
Used for GPS
Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
Altitude: 35,786 km
Remains above one point on Earth
NIGERIA-SAT1
Launched: 27 September 2003
Features:
1. LEO satellite at 686 km altitude.
2. Orbital period: 98 minutes.
3. Mass: 115 kg.
4. Lifespan: 5 years (operated till 2008).
5. Camera resolution: 32 m.
Uses:
1. Disaster management
2. Agriculture monitoring
3. Environmental protection
4. Urban planning
5. National security
6. Education and research
NIGCOMSAT-1
Launched: 13 May 2007
Features:
1. GEO satellite at 42.5° East.
2. Mass: 5,100 kg.
3. Lifespan: 15 years.
4. Operates in C, Ku, and Ka bands.
5. 28 transponders.
Uses:
1. Telecommunications
2. Broadcasting
3. Broadband internet
4. Telemedicine
5. Distance learning
6. Government communications
Note: Replaced by NIGCOMSAT-1R in 2011.
WORKED EXAMPLES
1. A rocket of mass 5,000 kg ejects gas at a velocity of 2,000 m/s. If 100 kg
of gas is ejected, calculate the velocity acquired by the rocket. (Assume the
rocket starts from rest)
Solution:
Using the principle of conservation of momentum:
Initial momentum = Final momentum
0 = (mass of rocket × velocity of rocket) + (mass of gas × velocity of gas)
Mass of rocket after ejection = 5,000 kg - 100 kg = 4,900 kg
0 = (4,900 × v) + (100 × 2,000)
0 = 4,900v + 200,000
4,900v = -200,000
v = -200,000 ÷ 4,900
v = -40.82 m/s
The velocity acquired by the rocket is 40.82 m/s in the opposite direction to
the ejected gas.
2. A geostationary satellite orbits Earth at an altitude of 35,786 km. If the
radius of Earth is 6,400 km, calculate:
(a) The orbital radius of the satellite
(b) The orbital velocity of the satellite
(Given: Gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ Nm²/kg², Mass of Earth =
6.0 × 10²⁴ kg)
Solution:
(a) Orbital radius (r) = Radius of Earth + Altitude
r = 6,400 km + 35,786 km = 42,186 km = 42,186,000 m = 4.22 × 10⁷ m
(b) For a satellite in circular orbit:
Gravitational force = Centripetal force
GMm mv²
= r
r²
Where v is the orbital velocity
GM
v² = r
GM
∴v=√ 𝑟
(6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ × 6.0 × 10²⁴)
v=√ (4.22 × 10⁷)
4.002 × 10¹⁴
v=√ 4.22 × 10⁷
v = √9.48 × 10⁶
v = 3,079 m/s
prepared by Mr. Tony