Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to re: Not just 1 orbit.

Number of orbits

This matches a conceptual problem I had with orbits. It seemed to me that if a body is put into a stable Earth-centric orbit, it must be fixed in the reference frame of the distant stars, not that of the Earth. i.e. NOT co-rotating with the Earth.

Therefore, after each 90 minute orbit, the Earth turns 360 *1.5/24 degrees under the (fixed) orbital plane - for a single orbit, the capsule would land many thousands of km west of its launching point.

To return approximately to the landing point, 24 hours must elapse so that the Earth will turn back to the original orientation. For 90 minute orbits, this is 16 complete orbits.

So if 14 orbits are planned, the capsule will land some way East of the launch point.

Or am I totally confused here?

it may be that translated Chinese reports confused one rotation of the Earth with one rotation of the capsule??

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