Space Physics Practice
10 problems · instant feedback · full explanations
Spaceflight is Newton's laws at extreme scales: orbits are free fall, rockets are momentum conservation, and everything is an energy budget.
Q1.
Astronauts are weightless in orbit because of:
Multiple choice · Easy
Q2.
What is the orbital speed 500 km above Earth (r = 6.87e6 m)? Use GM = 3.986e14 m³/s². (m/s)
Numerical answer (m/s) · Medium
Q3.
Rockets accelerate in space by:
Multiple choice · Easy
Q4.
What is the orbital period of a geostationary satellite?
Multiple choice · Medium
Q5.
What is the orbital period at 500 km altitude (r = 6.87e6 m)? Use GM = 3.986e14. (seconds)
Numerical answer (s) · Hard
Q6.
Compared to low orbit, a satellite in high orbit moves:
Multiple choice · Medium
Q7.
Spacecraft re-entering the atmosphere heat up due to air compression and friction.
True / False · Easy
Q8.
Orbital velocity and escape velocity are the same thing.
True / False · Medium
Q9.
The most fuel-efficient way to move between circular orbits is a:
Multiple choice · Hard
Q10.
What is g at the ISS altitude (~400 km, r = 6.77e6 m)? Use GM = 3.986e14. (m/s²)
Numerical answer (m/s²) · Hard