Acceleration of Gravity: Value in Low Earth Orbit

In summary, the value of the acceleration of gravity in low Earth orbit is approximately 9.8m/s². This is calculated using the formula g(H)/g=[R/(R+H)]^2, where H is the altitude of the orbit and R is the radius of the Earth. The typical low orbit shuttle travels around 17,235 mph and experiences about 89.8% of the gravitational acceleration on Earth. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, are in high orbits with a speed around 6880 mph and experience only 2.28% of Earth's gravitational acceleration.
  • #1
delta_simon
6
0
About what is the value of the acceleration of gravity
in low Earth orbit? <9,8m/s² ?
 
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  • #2
Somewhere in the order of 9m/s^2
 
  • #3
delta_simon said:
About what is the value of the acceleration due to (not of) gravity in low Earth orbit? <9,8m/s² ?
g(H)/g=[R/(R+H)]^2.
 
  • #4
A typical low orbit shuttle travels around 17,235 mph, or 25,280fps, every 91.38 minutes or 5483 seconds. Orbital length is about 26250 miles = 138,600,000 feet, with a radius of 4178 miles = 22,060,000 feet. Earth radius is about 3959 miles, so the orbital radius is about 1.0553R, or about 219 miles altitude. The altitude actually ranges from 185 miles to 250 miles depending on the mision (space station is 250miles up). Centrifugal acceleration is v^2/r = 28.97 ft / s^2. Gravitational acceleration is 32.264ft / s^2 = 9.822m / s^2 (once Earth rotational effects are eliminated), so the shuttle in low orbit experiences about 89.8%g. or 8.82 m / s^2. This corresponds with g at shuttle radius = g/R^2) = g/(1.0553^2) = 89.8% g.

Geostationary sattellites are high orbits, speed around 6880mph=10,091 ft/s, altitude 22,240miles, radius about 26200 miles = 138,330,000 ft, for only 2.28% g. v^2 / r = .736ft/s^2 => 2.28% g which checks.
 
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1. What is the value of acceleration of gravity in low Earth orbit?

The value of acceleration of gravity in low Earth orbit is approximately 9.8 m/s². This is the same value as the acceleration of gravity at the Earth's surface.

2. Does the acceleration of gravity change in low Earth orbit?

No, the acceleration of gravity does not change in low Earth orbit. It remains constant at approximately 9.8 m/s².

3. How does the acceleration of gravity affect objects in low Earth orbit?

The acceleration of gravity affects objects in low Earth orbit by keeping them in orbit around the Earth. This force of gravity is what allows objects to constantly fall towards the Earth without actually hitting the surface.

4. How is the acceleration of gravity measured in low Earth orbit?

The acceleration of gravity in low Earth orbit is typically measured using specialized instruments on satellites or spacecraft. These instruments can detect the force of gravity acting on the object and calculate the acceleration based on its mass.

5. Does the acceleration of gravity vary at different altitudes in low Earth orbit?

While the acceleration of gravity remains constant in low Earth orbit, it can vary slightly at different altitudes due to variations in the Earth's gravitational field. However, these variations are typically very small and do not significantly affect objects in orbit.

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