A satellite would have a mass of 270 kg on the surface of Mars. Determine the weight of the satellite in pounds if it is in orbit 15,000 miles above the surface of the Earth.

26 lbf

Explanation:

The mass of the satellite is the same regardless of where it is.

The weight however, depends on the acceleration of gravity.

The universal gravitation equation:

g = G * M / d^2

Where

G: universal gravitation constant (6.67*10^-11 m^3 / (kg*s))

M: mass of the body causing the gravitational field (mass of Earth = 6*10^24 kg)

d: distance to that body

15000 miles = 24140 km

The distance is to the center of Earth.

Earth radius = 6371 km

Then:

d = 24140 + 6371 = 30511 km

g = 6.67*10^-11 * 6*10^24 / 30511000^2 = 0.43 m/s^2

Then we calculate the weight:

w = m * a

w = 270 * 0.43 = 116 N

116 N is 26 lbf