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The speed of a satellite orbiting Earth primarily depends on its altitude and the gravitational pull of the Earth. According to Kepler's laws of planetary motion, a satellite in a lower orbit must travel faster to counteract the stronger gravitational force compared to one in a higher orbit. The relationship can be expressed using the formula for orbital speed, which shows that speed decreases as altitude increases. Additionally, the mass of the Earth affects this gravitational force, but it remains constant for all satellites orbiting the planet.

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Satellite orbiting earth at constant speed is accelerating?

Yes, a satellite orbiting Earth at a constant speed is indeed accelerating. This acceleration is due to the continuous change in direction of the satellite's velocity as it moves along its circular orbit. While the speed remains constant, the change in direction signifies that there is a net force acting on the satellite, specifically the gravitational force exerted by Earth, which keeps it in orbit. This type of acceleration, where the speed is constant but the direction changes, is known as centripetal acceleration.


Why does an orbiting satellites speed remain constant?

The satellite will not change speedbecause the gravity of the earth is a perpendicular force which only affectsdirection and not speed. Parallel forces must beapplied in order to change speed, butperpendicular forces only change direction.


How does a satellite stay in one place?

For a satellite to stay in one place over the earth, the satellite must be going in orbit in the same direction that the earth spins. The satellite must also travel at the same pace/speed as the earth spins to give us the 24-hour day that we as people witness. To apparently stay in one place it must be in a synchronous orbit. For the earth this is about 24,000 miles altitude. It must also be an equatorial satellite.


What are the physics of a satellite?

The Physics of a satellite is the same as Newton's Laws for the earth. GM = rv2 = r3 w2 where M is the central mass the satellite is orbiting and r is the raadius and w the orbiting rate.


How long does it take a signal to reach a satellite in low Earth orbit?

From Earth to an orbiting satellite it takes approximately 200 to 299million M/S or slightly slower than the speed oflight. This varies on weather and atmospheric conditions. The signal is significantly faster, or closer to the speed of light (299792458 M/S), in the Vacuum of Outer Space.

Related Questions

What is the maximum speed of an orbiting satellite around earth?

70 miles per hour


Why scientist must carefully set the right orbital speed of a satellite orbiting earth?

Scientists must carefully set the right orbital speed for a satellite that will be orbiting Earth, so that it will orbit correctly. The wrong speed will have the satellite move too fast, or too slow, skewing information and possibly causing the satellite to fall out of orbit and back to the planet's surface.


Satellite orbiting earth at constant speed is accelerating?

Yes, a satellite orbiting Earth at a constant speed is indeed accelerating. This acceleration is due to the continuous change in direction of the satellite's velocity as it moves along its circular orbit. While the speed remains constant, the change in direction signifies that there is a net force acting on the satellite, specifically the gravitational force exerted by Earth, which keeps it in orbit. This type of acceleration, where the speed is constant but the direction changes, is known as centripetal acceleration.


Why does an orbiting satellites speed remain constant?

The satellite will not change speedbecause the gravity of the earth is a perpendicular force which only affectsdirection and not speed. Parallel forces must beapplied in order to change speed, butperpendicular forces only change direction.


How does a satellite stay in one place?

For a satellite to stay in one place over the earth, the satellite must be going in orbit in the same direction that the earth spins. The satellite must also travel at the same pace/speed as the earth spins to give us the 24-hour day that we as people witness. To apparently stay in one place it must be in a synchronous orbit. For the earth this is about 24,000 miles altitude. It must also be an equatorial satellite.


Why must scientists carefully set the speed of a satellite orbiting earth?

If the final speed is not the exact speed required for a circular orbit, the satellite will travel in an ellipse around Earth; the time for one revolution, as well as the highest and lowest parts of the orbit, will be different from the expected values. This may, or may not, be relevant, depending on what the satellite is used for. For example, a satellite may be designed to pass over a certain part of Earth every 24 hours. If the orbit is wrong, the timing - as well as the part of Earth over which it moves - will be off.


What happens to the shape of the orbit of a satellite orbiting the earth if the speed increases?

If the speed at every point of the new orbit is higher than the speed at every point of the old one, then the orbit is smaller, but it can have the same shape. ============================================ Another contributor added: going too fast may give the satellite an elliptical orbit, or may cause the satellite to escape the gravity of Earth if the velocity is too great


What happens when any object is dropped from a satellite?

When an object is dropped from a satellite in orbit around Earth, it will continue orbiting Earth at the same speed and direction as the satellite. From the perspective of someone on the satellite, the object will appear to float next to them due to being in free fall. However, once the object encounters Earth's atmosphere, it will experience drag and eventually fall towards Earth.


What are the physics of a satellite?

The Physics of a satellite is the same as Newton's Laws for the earth. GM = rv2 = r3 w2 where M is the central mass the satellite is orbiting and r is the raadius and w the orbiting rate.


How long does it take a signal to reach a satellite in low Earth orbit?

From Earth to an orbiting satellite it takes approximately 200 to 299million M/S or slightly slower than the speed oflight. This varies on weather and atmospheric conditions. The signal is significantly faster, or closer to the speed of light (299792458 M/S), in the Vacuum of Outer Space.


What is the speed of a satellite that moves in an eliptical orbit around the earth?

If a satellite is in an elliptical orbit around the Earth, the Earth will be at one of the focii. The speed of the satellite will then constantly be changing. It will move the fastest when it is nearest to the Earth (perigee) and slowest when it is furthest away (apogee).


What is the speed of the spaceship?

It varies greatly. It will depend on how far away it is from the object it's orbiting. If it is in a circular orbit around the Earth, its speed can be calculated by the formula: speed = Squareroot(398600/(6371+altitude)) This will give you an answer in kilometers per second.