Explore how orbital velocity changes with distance from Earth
Orbital velocity is determined by the balance between gravitational force and centrifugal force. As distance increases, the required velocity decreases.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 160-2000 km
International Space Station orbits at ~408 km
Geostationary Orbit: 35,786 km
Satellites match Earth’s rotation period
Key Insight: Higher orbits = slower speeds but longer periods!
| Altitude (km) | Orbital Velocity (km/s) | Period (minutes) | Real Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 408 | 7.66 | 92.9 | ISS, Hubble |
| 550 | 7.53 | 95.8 | Starlink |
| 1,200 | 7.01 | 109.5 | Polar satellites |
| 35,786 | 3.07 | 1,436 | Geostationary |