1. What is Orbital Velocity?

Orbital velocity is the minimum velocity required for a satellite or other object to maintain a stable orbit around a celestial body. It represents the speed at which the centrifugal force balances the gravitational pull.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the orbital velocity equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Orbital velocity (m/s)
• \( \mu \) — Standard gravitational parameter (m³/s²)
• \( r \) — Orbital radius from center of mass (m)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant
• \( M \) — Mass of the central body

Explanation: The equation shows that orbital velocity decreases as the orbital radius increases, following an inverse square root relationship.

3. Importance of Orbital Velocity Calculation

Details: Calculating orbital velocity is essential for satellite deployment, space mission planning, and understanding orbital mechanics. It determines the required speed for objects to remain in stable orbits around planets, moons, or other celestial bodies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the standard gravitational parameter (μ) in m³/s² and the orbital radius (r) in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. For Earth, μ ≈ 3.986×10¹⁴ m³/s².

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the standard gravitational parameter (μ)?
A: The standard gravitational parameter (μ) is the product of the gravitational constant (G) and the mass (M) of the celestial body. It's often used in orbital mechanics calculations as it's more precisely known than either G or M separately.

Q2: How does orbital altitude affect velocity?
A: Higher orbits have lower orbital velocities. For example, geostationary satellites at ~35,786 km altitude orbit slower than low Earth orbit satellites at ~400 km altitude.

Q3: What's the difference between orbital velocity and escape velocity?
A: Orbital velocity is the speed needed to maintain orbit, while escape velocity is the minimum speed needed to break free from gravitational attraction without further propulsion.

Q4: Does this formula work for circular orbits only?
A: Yes, this specific formula calculates the velocity for a circular orbit. Elliptical orbits have variable speeds throughout their trajectory.

Q5: What are typical orbital velocities for Earth satellites?
A: Low Earth orbit satellites typically travel at about 7.8 km/s, while geostationary satellites travel at about 3.1 km/s.