Chapter 9 : Getting to Orbit

Question 1

What is a launch window?

Answer 1

a period of time to launch a spacecraft directly into a specified orbit
when a launch site and orbital plane intersect

Question 2

What is sidereal time?

Answer 2

the angle between longitude line and the vernal equinox

1 sidereal date = 23 hours 56 min 04 sec

Question 3

What is longer, a solar day or sidereal day?

Answer 3

solar day > sidereal day
1 sidereal day = 23 hours 56 min 04 sec polar day
this is because the earth is also orbiting the sun, so the solar day is not as constant