Linear Speed

Question

A satellite in circular orbit 1250 km above earth makes one complet revolution every 110 minutes. Assuming that earth is a sphere of radius 6378 km, what is the linear speed in (km)/(min) of the satellite?

Answer 1

v = linear speed

r = radius of orbit (measured from the center of the earth)

T = period of orbit = 110 min

 

v = 2πr / T

 

r = (6378 + 1250) km = 7628 km

 

T = 110 minutes

 

v = [2π(7628) / (110)] km/min ≅ 435.7 km/min