Operation Ortsac

As the Soviets are prepared to launch SS-4 ballistic nuclear missiles at the US from Cuba, we are
prepared to fire Patriot air defense missiles to intercept and destroy any incoming missiles before
they reach the United States. Your job is to prepare the equation that your Patriot missile will follow in
order to intercept the SS-4.
1. We know the Soviet missiles have a maximum velocity of 7 km/s. What distance must they travel
to hit your target city? (1,047.58km)

2. What is the equation for velocity?

v=velocity d=distance t=time

equation: v=d/t

3. Velocity can be split into vertical and horizontal components. What are those?
If you shoot something up straight it will come down straight.

4. If we ignore air resistance (remember, most of the time, these missiles will be in space), what is
the only thing that will slow the missiles down?
Gravity is the only thing that will slow the missile down.
The equation for the height of a projectile (ballistic missile) is
.
5. Define the variables.
H=height of missile, a= acceleration due to gravity, T=time of the flight, v y=vertical velocity of the
projective, h0= starting height of the projective

6. If we know how far the missile travels and how fast it goes, what do we need to know in order to
launch it correctly? We need to know the angle of which its at

7. Where do you find that in our equations, and how would you substitute it in?

8. Follow rows 1 - 5 on Desmos - Ballistic Missile. What is the launch angle?

To destroy Atlanta we will have to launch missile at 83.953 o angle
9. Follow rows 6 - 9. How long does the missile take to reach the target city?

10. Follow rows 10 - 13.

What is the maximum height of the missile? 710.311.24272.256
How far has the missile traveled at that point? Extremely far
What do the x-intercepts mean?

11. Follow rows 14 - 21.

How long does it take to intercept the Soviet missile with your Patriot missile?149.475
Which option seems more reasonable? Why? I picked this one because it's the shorter one

12. Follow rows 22 - 23. What is the height that the missile is intercepted? 931.023km

13. Follow rows 24 - 25. What are the coordinates of the ballistic missile when it is intercepted?

14. Follow rows 26. What are the coordinates of the Patriot missile when it is launched? Why?

15. Follow rows 27 - 29 to determine the Patriot missile intercept equation.

16. rows 30. Did the Patriot missile successfully intercept the ballistic missile? How do you know?