1. What is Earth Orbital Velocity?

Orbital velocity is the minimum speed needed for an object to maintain a stable orbit around a celestial body. For Earth, this represents the velocity required to balance gravitational pull with centrifugal force.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the orbital velocity equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Orbital velocity (m/s)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/kg·s²)
• \( M \) — Earth mass (5.972 × 10²⁴ kg)
• \( r \) — Orbital radius from center of Earth (m)

Explanation: The equation calculates the velocity required for an object to maintain a circular orbit at a given distance from Earth's center.

3. Importance of Orbital Velocity Calculation

Details: Accurate orbital velocity calculation is crucial for satellite deployment, space mission planning, and understanding orbital mechanics. It ensures satellites maintain stable orbits without falling back to Earth or escaping into space.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter orbital radius in meters. Default values are provided for gravitational constant and Earth mass, but these can be adjusted if needed. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Earth's orbital velocity at surface level?
A: Approximately 7.9 km/s (7900 m/s), known as the first cosmic velocity.

Q2: How does orbital velocity change with altitude?
A: Orbital velocity decreases as altitude increases because gravitational force weakens with distance.

Q3: What is geostationary orbital velocity?
A: At 35,786 km altitude, orbital velocity is about 3.07 km/s, matching Earth's rotation for stationary positioning.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for other planets?
A: Yes, by changing the mass (M) value to that of another celestial body.

Q5: Why is precise orbital velocity important for satellites?
A: Incorrect velocity can cause orbital decay (too slow) or escape trajectory (too fast), leading to mission failure.