Question

Suppose a space shuttle is in orbit about the earth at 400 km above its surface. Determine the orbital speed and the orbital period of the Space Shuttle. Use the information given below.
$G=6.673\times {10}^{-11}N{m}^2/k{g}^2$
$M_{earth}=5.98\times {10}^{24}kg$
$R_{earth}=6.37\times {10}^{6}m$

• A. 1235 m/s
• B. 3423 m/s
• C. 4575 m/s
• D. 7676 m/s

Answer 1

The correct option is D

7676 m/s

The orbital speed can be found using
$v=\sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}}$
The R value (radius of orbit) is the earth's radius plus the height above the earth - in this case, $6.77\times {10}^{6}m$. Substituting and solving it yields a speed of 7676 m/s.