Calculate Speed & Time of Orbiting Satellite

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the speed and orbital period of a satellite in a circular orbit 600 km above the Earth's surface, where the free-fall acceleration is 8.21 m/s². The radius from the center of the Earth to the satellite is determined to be 7,000,000 m. Using the formula for uniform circular motion, the satellite's speed is calculated to be approximately 7.58e3 m/s, and the time required to complete one orbit is approximately 5.80e3 seconds.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of uniform circular motion and gravitational acceleration
  • Familiarity with the formula v = sqrt(ar) for calculating speed
  • Knowledge of basic trigonometry for calculating orbital distance
  • Ability to perform calculations with significant figures
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of gravitational force and orbital mechanics
  • Learn about the effects of altitude on satellite speed and orbital period
  • Explore the use of Python for simulating satellite orbits
  • Investigate the impact of atmospheric drag on low Earth orbit satellites
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in satellite dynamics and orbital mechanics will benefit from this discussion.

h_k331
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I was hoping someone could check my work for me.

Question:
A satellite is in circular orbit 600 km above the Earth's surface, where the free-fall acceleration is 8.21 m/s^2. Take the radius of the Earth as 6400 km. Determine the speed of the satellite and the time required to complete one orbit around the earth.

Work:

Radius from to center of the Earth to the satellite is 600000 m + 6400000 m = 7000000 m.

For uniform circular motion a = v^2/r, so v = sqrt(ar).

v = sqrt(ar) = sqrt(8.21 m/s^2 * 7000000 m) = 7580.897 m/s

d = rt, so t = d/r.

t = d/r = (2pi * 7000000 m)/(7580.897 m/s) = 5801.727 s

So with the correct number of sig figs velocity would be 7.58e3 m/s and the time required to complete one orbit would be 5.80e3 s.

Thanks,
hk
 
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Looks good.
 
Thanks Janus.

hk
 

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