1. What is Orbital Speed?

Orbital speed is the velocity needed for an object to maintain a stable orbit around a celestial body. It represents the balance between gravitational pull and the object's inertia, keeping it in a continuous free-fall path around the central body.

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 from center of mass (m)

Explanation: The equation calculates the velocity required for an object to maintain a circular orbit at a given distance from a celestial body's center, balancing gravitational force with centripetal force.

3. Importance of Orbital Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating orbital speed is essential for satellite deployment, space mission planning, and understanding celestial mechanics. It helps determine appropriate velocities for objects to achieve and maintain stable orbits around planets, moons, or stars.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the gravitational constant (typically 6.67430e-11), the mass of the central body in kilograms, and the orbital radius in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this equation work for elliptical orbits?
A: This specific equation calculates speed for circular orbits. For elliptical orbits, the speed varies throughout the orbit and requires more complex calculations.

Q2: What is the difference between orbital speed and escape velocity?
A: Orbital speed maintains an object in orbit, while escape velocity is the minimum speed needed to break free from a gravitational field entirely.

Q3: How does altitude affect orbital speed?
A: Higher orbits (larger r) result in slower orbital speeds, following an inverse square root relationship with orbital radius.

Q4: Can this be used for orbits around any celestial body?
A: Yes, the equation works for any central body when you use the appropriate mass value for that body.

Q5: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: The gravitational constant is a fundamental physical constant that reflects the relative weakness of gravity compared to other fundamental forces in nature.