Question

on which factors the orbital speed of a satellite depends?

Answer 1

If you mean: Orbital Velocity as a vector, it depends on:

The value of G = 6.67 x 10^-11 (aproximattely) which is the Universal Gravitational Constant

The Mass(M) of the planet which the sattelite orbits, in case of the Earth is 5,98x10^24 (aproximattely)

The distance between the center of the planet to the sattelite (R = radius of the planet + altitude)

The square root of the value: (G*M/R)

Since G is a constant, then the orbital velocity is only dependant of the mass of said planet and the radius of the planet and altitude at which the sattelite is encountered.  

(OR)

Two factors control the instantaneous speed of a satellite: the semi-major axis (a) and the eccentricity of the orbit.

Over a complete orbit, then the only factor is the semi-major axis, a, which is equal to the mean altitude of the satellite, measured from the centre of the attracting body.

As an example, using planets (or asteroids, or comets, or any othe object) in orbit about the sun, the period (in years) of the orbit is equal to a^(3/2), where a = semi-major axis (in astronomical units).

The orbital speed can then be readily deduced by calculating the length of the orbit (2 * pi * a) and dividing by the period. Convert to whatever units of speed yo require.

Answer 2

Answer:

Orbital Speed depends on following factors:-

a) mass of the planet

b) radius of planet

c) altitude of satellite

Explanation:

We know that orbital speed of a satellite is given by equation

$v = \sqrt{G *\frac{M}{R} }$

where G = Gravitational Constant with a value of $6.67 * 10^{-11}$

M = mass of the planet which satellite is revolving around

and R = radius of planet + height of satellite from surface

Gravitational Constant G is a constant everywhere, hence orbital velocity does not depend on it.

v is directly proportional to Mass, and inversely proportional to the distance of satellite from center of planet.

$v = \sqrt{G * \frac{M}{r + h} }$

r = radius of planet

h = altitude of satellite

Hence, v depends on Mass, radius of planet and altitude of satellite from surface of planet.