Question

Find the minimum energy required to launch a satellite

Answer 1

As we know, Gravitational potential energy = - GM /r

and orbital velocity, v0 = vGM/R+h

Ef = ½ mv20 – GMm/3R = ½ m GM/3R – GMm/3R

= GMm/3R (1/2-1) = - GMm/6R

Ei = - GM/R + K

Ei = Ef

Therefore minimum required energy, K = 5GMm/6R