How Do You Calculate the Speed of a Satellite in Orbit?

In summary, to calculate the speed of a satellite in a stable circular orbit around Earth at a height of 3600 km, you can use the equation v2 = Gm/r, where G is the gravitational constant, m is the mass of Earth and r is the distance between the satellite and Earth's center. By substituting the values for G, mE and rE, we can obtain the speed of the satellite.
  • #1
Neek 007
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Homework Statement


Calculate the speed of a satellite moving in a stable circular orbit about the Earth at a height of 3600 km.

Homework Equations


v2=Gm/r
F=(Gm1m2/r2
g=(Gm)/r2
G=6.67x10-11Nm2/kg2
rE=6380km=6.3x106m----(Radius of Earth)
mE=5.98x1024kg---------(Mass of Earth)

The Attempt at a Solution



Changed height of satellite to 3.6x106m
I think I can assume the height as the radius.

I come up on blanks on what to do from here.
 
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  • #2
The gravitational attraction must provide the centripetal acceleration for the circular orbit:

GMEm/R2 = mv2/R

So,

v2= GME/(RE + h)

And yes, the height/radius are the same. Just plug in the info you have and solve!
 

FAQ: How Do You Calculate the Speed of a Satellite in Orbit?

What is satellite speed?

Satellite speed refers to the velocity at which a satellite moves in its orbit around a celestial body, such as the Earth.

How fast do satellites travel?

The speed of satellites varies depending on their altitude and the body they are orbiting. For example, a satellite in low Earth orbit may travel at around 7.8 km/s, while a satellite in geostationary orbit may travel at around 3 km/s.

Why is satellite speed important?

Satellite speed is important because it determines the orbital period of a satellite, which affects its coverage area and the amount of time it spends over a particular location on Earth. It also affects the accuracy of satellite measurements and the stability of satellite orbits.

How is satellite speed calculated?

Satellite speed is calculated using the equation v = √(GM/R), where v is the speed, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the celestial body, and R is the distance between the satellite and the center of the body.

Can satellite speed change?

Yes, satellite speed can change due to factors such as atmospheric drag, gravitational pull from other objects, and propulsion from onboard thrusters. However, satellites are designed to maintain a relatively constant speed in order to maintain their orbit.

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