How do they measure how fast the space shuttle goes in space? There is no air or anything so how would you do it?
2007-06-22 08:06:38 · 4 answers · asked by inv518 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
GPS would work. They are only about 200 miles up while the GPS satellites are at about 22,000 miles up. NASA could easily recalibrate a military GPS unit.
Without GPS, they have tracking stations around the world to track on.
2007-06-22 10:00:17 · answer #1 · answered by Menehune 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The last answerer suggested radar and I'm sure that's true, but there is a more fundamental answer; if the space shuttle (or any object) is orbiting at a given distance, then it is moving at one, and only one, particular speed. Though I suppose it would be useful to measure the speed just to make sure it is in the orbit they meant it to get in. Now I suppose I'm going to have to think about this one a while.
Oh well, that's fine. That's what a discussion like this is all about, isn't it?
2007-06-22 16:59:03 · answer #2 · answered by Robert K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order to remain in orbit the forward speed of the shuttle has to be calculated very precisely. The shuttle is pulled downward by gravity at about 15 feet per second so the shuttle must move forward at a speed to compensate for this fall so that the path it takes in space is curved to match the curvature of the earth's surface, this speed is roughly 17,500 MPH.
2007-06-25 12:53:31 · answer #3 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use radar measurements. Radar can be used to determine the position (distance) and then you can use doppler shift to determine how fast it is moving if you know how fast your radar dish is moving.
2007-06-22 15:44:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋