How Fast and High Do Polar-Orbiting Satellites Travel?

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Polar-orbiting environmental satellites (POES) orbit the Earth at a lower altitude to gather detailed information, completing approximately 14.1 orbits daily. The orbital period for POES is given as 1.7 hours, and the gravitational constant and Earth's mass are provided for calculations. To find the orbital speed and altitude, consistent units must be used, converting time to seconds and distance to meters. The discussion emphasizes the importance of unit consistency in calculations to avoid errors. Understanding these principles is crucial for solving the problem effectively.
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Homework Statement



The polar-orbiting environmental satellites (POES) and some military satallites orbit at a much lower level in order to obtain more detailed information. POES complete an Earth orbit 14.1 times per day. What are the orbital speed and the altitude of POES?

T = 1.7 h
G = 6.67x10^-11
M Earth = 5.98x10 ^24

Homework Equations



The international space station orbits at an altitude of approximately 226km. What is its orbital speed and period?

The Attempt at a Solution



What i tried to do was,

R^3 = (G)(M Earth)
T^2 _____4π^2
 
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Somebody please help me ! :(
 
willbland said:
T = 1.7 h
G = 6.67x10^-11
M Earth = 5.98x10 ^24

You have units for the orbital period, why not for G and the mass of the Earth? Those things have units too, and unless you apply them consistently you will get the wrong answer. You used the values G=6.67*10^{-11}\mathrm{m}^3/\mathrm{kg}/\mathrm{s}^2 and M_{\oplus}=5.98*10^{24} \mathrm{kg} in conjunction with time in hours and distance in kilometers.
 
Thank's.

So how do i do the question?
 
Make sure you use consistent units throughout. That value of G is in m3/kg/s2. If you want to use that particular value, you had better represent lengths in meters, not kilometers, and time in seconds, not hours.
 
Ooo.. Thanks man :)

But how do i use the equation when they only give that much information, i am lost :( But i do understand your point.
 
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