European Journal of Physics Eur. J. Phys. 37 (2016) 045004 (10pp) doi:10.1088/0143-0807/37/4/045004 Satellite splat II: an inelastic collision with a surface-launched projectile and the maximum orbital radius for planetary impact Philip R Blanco1,2,4 and Carl E Mungan3 1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA 92020- 1765, USA 2 Department of Astronomy, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182- 1221, USA 3 Physics Department, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD 21402-1363, USA E-mail:
[email protected] Received 26 January 2016, revised 3 April 2016 Accepted for publication 14 April 2016 Published 16 May 2016 Abstract Starting with conservation of energy and angular momentum, we derive a convenient method for determining the periapsis distance of an orbiting object, by expressing its velocity components in terms of the local circular speed. This relation is used to extend the results of our previous paper, examining the effects of an adhesive inelastic collision between a projectile launched from the surface of a planet (of radius R) and an equal-mass satellite in a circular orbit of radius rs. We show that there is a maximum orbital radius rs ≈ 18.9R beyond which such a collision cannot cause the satellite to impact the planet. The difficulty of bringing down a satellite in a high orbit with a surface- launched projectile provides a useful topic for a discussion of orbital angular momentum and energy. The material is suitable for an undergraduate inter- mediate mechanics course. Keywords: orbital motion, momentum conservation, energy conservation, angular momentum, ballistics (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal) 4 Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed.