Topic Actions

Topic Search

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 21 guests

Question about satelites

This fascinating series is a combination of historical seafaring, swashbuckling adventure, and high technological science-fiction. Join us in a discussion!
Question about satelites
Post by 6L6   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 4:17 pm

6L6
Commander

Posts: 165
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:37 pm
Location: Sourthern Md. USA

I'm re-reading the series from book 1,
On page 532 of BY HERESSIES DISTRESSED paperback edition Merlin was introducing the communicator to Cayleb and Sharleyan, he said "the SNARC I have permanently parked in orbit above the Cauldron. There's one above Chisholm, too, now, for that matter."
My understanding is that a satelite must be in orbit over the equator to be parked. The Cauldron is near the equator but Cherayth is quite far. Is this possible? I don't know if this question has been brought up in earlier post. The forum seems to be very quite today.
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by lexisgrandpa   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 4:50 pm

lexisgrandpa
Ensign

Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:37 pm
Location: St. Peters, MO

I believe that you are misunderstanding what RFC is saying. A satelite would orbit the planet. Another use of the word would be like an airplane orbiting a point on the ground. In this case the plane would fly in a circle over a point. This is what I believe is meant.
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by Starsaber   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 5:02 pm

Starsaber
Captain (Junior Grade)

Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:40 am

The more advanced engines/fuels they have might let a device hover over a specific area for a long time. Might not be the most efficient option, but probably possible.
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by Kakai   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 5:05 pm

Kakai
Commander

Posts: 162
Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:46 am

Most curious indeed. I think they shouldn't be able to, by our state of tech. On the other hand, GPS satellites manage it - if you check the maps, you can see them as far north as Canada... Although maybe they're moving? Make of it what you want:
https://in-the-sky.org/satmap.php

Anyway, my guess as to futuristic SNARCs would be that either Federation managed to lock satellites on geostationary orbit out of the equator or SNARCs have some sort of propulsion system that allows them to correct their positions to stay in on some sort of geostationary-looking orbit for long periods of time.

Or they're like helicopters, with future anti-grav tech instead of a rotor.
-----------
When in mortal danger, when beset by doubt,
Run in little circles, wave your arms and shout.

- Ciaphas Cain
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by DrakBibliophile   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 6:03 pm

DrakBibliophile
Admiral

Posts: 2311
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:54 pm
Location: East Central Illinois

Vague is your friend and IMO David Weber has kept the tech involved with the SNARCs and their "surveillance bugs" vague.

However, it's very safe to say that it involves technology much more advanced than today's tech. :)

Kakai wrote:Most curious indeed. I think they shouldn't be able to, by our state of tech. On the other hand, GPS satellites manage it - if you check the maps, you can see them as far north as Canada... Although maybe they're moving? Make of it what you want:
https://in-the-sky.org/satmap.php

Anyway, my guess as to futuristic SNARCs would be that either Federation managed to lock satellites on geostationary orbit out of the equator or SNARCs have some sort of propulsion system that allows them to correct their positions to stay in on some sort of geostationary-looking orbit for long periods of time.

Or they're like helicopters, with future anti-grav tech instead of a rotor.
*
Paul Howard (Alias Drak Bibliophile)
*
Sometimes The Dragon Wins! [Polite Dragon Smile]
*
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by Joat42   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 6:32 pm

Joat42
Admiral

Posts: 2162
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:01 am
Location: Sweden

Kakai wrote:Most curious indeed. I think they shouldn't be able to, by our state of tech. On the other hand, GPS satellites manage it - if you check the maps, you can see them as far north as Canada... Although maybe they're moving? Make of it what you want:
https://in-the-sky.org/satmap.php

Anyway, my guess as to futuristic SNARCs would be that either Federation managed to lock satellites on geostationary orbit out of the equator or SNARCs have some sort of propulsion system that allows them to correct their positions to stay in on some sort of geostationary-looking orbit for long periods of time.

Or they're like helicopters, with future anti-grav tech instead of a rotor.

The GPS satellites are orbiting earth, the orbits are calculated so you get the maximum coverage possible unless there is a need for better accuracy which entails adjusting the orbits and concentrating them over a specific area.

You can put satellites in stationary orbits which in essence means that the satellites matches the planets rotation but this practice is constrained to equatorial orbits. You can also use the Lagrange points to place a satellite in a stationary spot relative to the planet and another celestial body but this has the downside that traditional communications are done purely by line of sight.

At least that is what I remember from my physics class.

If we take into account the Federation tech-level I don't really see why a satellite should be constrained to an equatorial orbit.

---
Jack of all trades and destructive tinkerer.


Anyone who have simple solutions for complex problems is a fool.
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by jgnfld   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 6:49 pm

jgnfld
Captain of the List

Posts: 468
Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:55 am

6L6 wrote:I'm re-reading the series from book 1,
On page 532 of BY HERESSIES DISTRESSED paperback edition Merlin was introducing the communicator to Cayleb and Sharleyan, he said "the SNARC I have permanently parked in orbit above the Cauldron. There's one above Chisholm, too, now, for that matter."
My understanding is that a satelite must be in orbit over the equator to be parked. The Cauldron is near the equator but Cherayth is quite far. Is this possible? I don't know if this question has been brought up in earlier post. The forum seems to be very quite today.

In OAR we learn that SNARCs are about 2 meters long, fusion powered and can stay aloft for months. They can reach space (as he lost one to the OBS defenses), but for communication purposes, I don't think that's where he parks them. He parks them at altitude in the atmosphere to my reading.
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by 6L6   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:20 pm

6L6
Commander

Posts: 165
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:37 pm
Location: Sourthern Md. USA

jgnfld, IT says "parked in orbit".
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by fallsfromtrees   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:55 pm

fallsfromtrees
Vice Admiral

Posts: 1960
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2014 10:51 am
Location: Mesa, Arizona

6L6 wrote:jgnfld, IT says "parked in orbit".

Two possibilities here. One it is parked in a geosynch orbit at the longitude of Chisholm, or two he has a number of SNARC in slanted Geosynch orbits at Chisholm's longitude. These would apper to move North and South on a daily basis, with a number of them, there would always be one within easy communication range of Chisholm. I might note, the GPS satellites are not in geosynch orbits, but a variety of orbits that are precisely known, so that your position can be calculated if 3 or more satellites can be located.
========================

The only problem with quotes on the internet is that you can't authenticate them -- Abraham Lincoln
Top
Re: Question about satelites
Post by 6L6   » Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:50 pm

6L6
Commander

Posts: 165
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:37 pm
Location: Sourthern Md. USA

fallsfromtrees, I was thinking the same as you that it is parked on the equator at the same long. as Chisholm and that the satelite would be visible (if you could see it) closer to the horizon and still be accessible from Chisholm.
Top

Return to Safehold