Space Transportation: Shuttle Mission Orbit
As a mathematician on the U.S. space program, you have been assigned the task of determining the
first orbit of the Space Shuttle on the next mission. Several other mathematicians and scientists
have been assigned to your group. Your project is to determine the orbit of the shuttle and any
other information which might affect the remainder of the orbits during this mission. (Will all
orbits cross over the same initial points? State why or why not.) Your project must be a team
effort!
The NASA Project Director has asked each team to submit a copy of the exact orbit the team has
determined and a 1 to 2 paragraph report, discussing any other information which might affect the
remaining orbits of the shuttle during this mission. (Do not forget to list the members of your team
on this project.)
The materials at your disposal include: a globe, tape, a copy of a world map, colored pencils, a
computer on which to write your report, grid paper, and a ruler.
Special points: The shuttle may not cross land on the initial lift-off and the Shuttle must be
launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida (since there are no other launch facilities available
in the U.S. at the moment).
What you are to do:
A.Using the globe:
1. Use string to measure the circumference of a “great circle” by measuring the circumference
of the globe at the equator.
2. Beginning at the Kennedy Space Center, use your sting to mark a great circle which
represents your proposed orbit.
3. Plot the coordinates of the orbit as an ordered pair, (longitude, latitude) on a flat map of the
globe, Mollweide projection.
4. Plot the coordinates of your orbit on graph paper. Use the intersection of the equator and the
prime meridian as your origin.
Using the calculator:
1. ClrAllLists
2. Enter your coordinates (longitude, latitude) under . Put your lists in L1 and L2.
3. Go to . Turn on Plot 1. Select a Scatter Plot ; Make your x-list L1 and your y-list L2;
Use a for your symbol.
4. Make sure that any equations in your  Editor are turned off.
5.  to graph.
6. Find a sinusoidal model to fit the data you have graphed.
Completing your report.
1. Create a report cover naming the assignment and the members of your team.
2. Describe the exact orbit – the countries it will pass over- - and any other pertinent
information.
3. Use TI-Interactive to capture a screen image of your calculator graph.
4. Give the equation of the sinusoidal model that fits your data.