Quick question on orbital speed of satellite

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the orbital speed of the NOAA-N satellite, which is in a circular orbit at an altitude of 870 km. The user initially used the Earth's mean radius in their calculations, leading to an incorrect speed of 7.86 x10^3 m/s. The correct approach requires adding the altitude of the satellite to the Earth's radius to determine the orbital radius. After clarification, the correct orbital speed is confirmed to be 7.41 x10^3 m/s. This highlights the importance of accurately determining the orbital radius in satellite speed calculations.
dezhiz
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Homework Statement


The polar orbiting satellite NOAA-N was launched in May 2005. The satellite is now moving in a circular orbit above the Earth's surface at an altidude of 870 km. THe mass of the Earth is 5.97 x1024kg and its mean radius is 6.38 x106m.

Show that the orbital speed of the satellite is 7.41 x103ms-1

Homework Equations


i used v=√GM/r
where G = 6.67 x10-11

The Attempt at a Solution


What I got was..
v = √(6.67 x10-11)(5.97 x1024)/6.38 x106
v = 7.86 x103ms-1

What am I doing wrong? D:
 
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You are using 6.38x106 meters as the satellite's orbital radius. That value is the mean radius of the Earth, not the orbit.
 
ah yea... Thanks!
 

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