Elevation

Question

Path of orbiting satellite passes over 2 tracking stations, a and b. 2 stations are 52 miles apart. When the satellite is on one side of the 2 stations, the angle of elevation at a and b measure tone 87 degrees and 84 degrees respectfully.

How far is the satellite from station a?

how high is the satellite above the ground?

Answer 1

Step 1:

Path of orbiting satellite passes over two tracking stations, .

Two stations are apart.

The angle of elevation at measure tone .

(a)

Find the distance of the satellite from station .

Angle of elevation is .

Substitute in the angle of elevation.

The distance of the satellite from station is

(b)

Find the high is the satellite above the ground.

Substitute in the angle of elevation.

The high is the satellite above the ground is

Solution:

(a) The distance of the satellite from station is

(b) The high is the satellite above the ground is