Problem 3

An early warning defence system detects an UFO travelling at 800km above earth's surface with a

horizontal (perpendicular) speed of 8 km/s and a vertical (radial) speed of 1.3 km/s. Determine: a) the

total energy (per unit mass of the orbit) b) the angular momentum (per unit mass of the orbit), c) the

eccentricity of the orbit e d) the minimum and maximum radii of the orbit e) the true anomaly e at the point

of observation. f) whether the UFO is possibly a missile, Earth satellite or comet and explain your answer.

g) the minimum measured speed v of the UFO for it to be a comet and explain why. (Tot. 21 mks = 3 x 7)