The space shuttle releases a satellite into a circular orbit 520 km above the Earth. How fast must the shuttle be moving (relative to Earth) when the release occurs?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Centripetal force F= GMm/r^2 which is equal to (mv^2)/r
so GMm/r^2 = (mv^2)/r
now you can calculate v by putting r =R+520 km
R is radius of earth and M is mass of earth G gravitational constant m is mass of space shuttle which will cancel out in your calculation.

jfraser · Answer

@gyanu don't forget to convert the altitude (520km) into METERS, otherwise it doesn't work properly

anonymous · Answer

thanks @JFraser but  i left it for @ppatel428.

jfraser · Answer

oh, sorry!