Question

A certain satellite is in circular orbit about the earth at an altitude of 550km. If the satellite makes a revolution in 110minutes, calculate its orbital speed

Answer 1

We have,

• Altitude at which satellite is moving = 550 km
• Time taken to complete one revolution = 110 minutes = 110/60 = 11/6 hours

Now, if we will suppose earth as a circle then, its altitude will be basically its radius, so the radius of the circle(earth) is 550 km

• Altitude of sphere = radius of sphere

We know that,

• Speed in circular motion = 2πr/t

So, put all the required values,

• 2 × 3.14 × 550 / 11/6
• 2 × 314 × 550 × 6/ 100 × 11
• 314 × 6
• 1884 km/h

Therefore, the orbital speed of the satellite will be 1884 km/h. $\;$