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Consider a Spacecraft in a Circular Orbit

Question 90

Multiple Choice

Consider a spacecraft in a circular orbit. Suppose a rocket thruster is fired, increasing the speed of the spacecraft. What will be its subsequent orbit? (See Figure 4-22, Universe, 11th ed.)

Consider a spacecraft in a circular orbit. Suppose a rocket thruster is fired, increasing the speed of the spacecraft. What will be its subsequent orbit? (See Figure 4-22, Universe, 11th ed.)  ​   ​ A) The orbit must remain circular, but its radius must gradually diminish. B) The eccentricity of the orbit will increase, but the semimajor axis will stay the same. C) The eccentricity of the orbit will decrease, but the semimajor axis will stay the same. D) The semimajor axis must increase.


A) The orbit must remain circular, but its radius must gradually diminish.
B) The eccentricity of the orbit will increase, but the semimajor axis will stay the same.
C) The eccentricity of the orbit will decrease, but the semimajor axis will stay the same.
D) The semimajor axis must increase.

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