During a Hohmann transfer to GEO, the transfer orbit’s apogee distance is approximately how many kilometers?

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Study for the Space and National Security Test. Review with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam!

Multiple Choice

During a Hohmann transfer to GEO, the transfer orbit’s apogee distance is approximately how many kilometers?

Explanation:
In a Hohmann transfer, the transfer ellipse is designed so that its apogee lies at the target orbit. For a transfer to GEO, the apogee distance matches the GEO orbit’s radius, which is the Earth’s radius plus the GEO altitude. GEO sits at about 35,786 km above the surface, so the apogee distance is roughly 36,000 km from the Earth's surface. If you measure from Earth’s center, it would be about 42,164 km, but the problem typically uses distance above the surface. The other numbers are either too small or too large for GEO altitude.

In a Hohmann transfer, the transfer ellipse is designed so that its apogee lies at the target orbit. For a transfer to GEO, the apogee distance matches the GEO orbit’s radius, which is the Earth’s radius plus the GEO altitude. GEO sits at about 35,786 km above the surface, so the apogee distance is roughly 36,000 km from the Earth's surface. If you measure from Earth’s center, it would be about 42,164 km, but the problem typically uses distance above the surface. The other numbers are either too small or too large for GEO altitude.

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