1. What is Satellite Orbital Speed?

The orbital speed of a satellite is the velocity at which it must travel to maintain a stable orbit around a celestial body. This speed depends on the mass of the central body and the orbital radius.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the orbital speed equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Orbital speed (m/s)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/kg·s²)
• \( M \) — Mass of the central body (kg)
• \( r \) — Orbital radius (distance from center of mass, in meters)

Explanation: The equation shows that orbital speed decreases with increasing orbital radius and increases with greater central mass.

3. Importance of Orbital Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating precise orbital speeds is essential for satellite deployment, space mission planning, and understanding celestial mechanics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass of the planet/star in kilograms and the orbital radius in meters (distance from the center of the mass). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens if the speed is too fast or too slow?
A: Too fast and the satellite will escape orbit; too slow and it will fall back to the central body.

Q2: Does this work for any orbit?
A: This calculates circular orbit speed. For elliptical orbits, the speed varies throughout the orbit.

Q3: What about altitude above a planet's surface?
A: Remember to add the planet's radius to the altitude to get the orbital radius (r).

Q4: How does this relate to orbital period?
A: Orbital period can be calculated from speed and radius using \( T = 2\pi r / v \).

Q5: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: Gravity is a relatively weak force compared to other fundamental forces, hence the small constant.