1. What is Orbit Velocity?

Orbit velocity is the speed needed for an object to maintain a stable orbit around a celestial body. It depends on the standard gravitational parameter of the body being orbited and the orbital radius.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the orbit velocity equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Orbit velocity (m/s)
• \( gm \) — Standard gravitational parameter (m³/s²)
• \( r \) — Orbital radius from center of mass (m)

Explanation: The equation shows that orbital velocity decreases with increasing orbital radius and increases with greater gravitational force.

3. Importance of Orbit Velocity Calculation

Details: Calculating orbit velocity is essential for satellite deployment, space mission planning, and understanding celestial mechanics. It determines the speed required to maintain a stable orbit without falling back to the surface or escaping the gravitational pull.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between orbital velocity and escape velocity?
A: Orbital velocity maintains a stable orbit, while escape velocity is the speed needed to completely break free from a gravitational field.

Q2: How does altitude affect orbital velocity?
A: Higher orbits (greater r) have slower orbital velocities. Low Earth orbit requires about 7.8 km/s, while geostationary orbit requires about 3.1 km/s.

Q3: What is the standard gravitational parameter?
A: It's the product of the gravitational constant (G) and the mass of the celestial body (M), often denoted as μ (mu) or gm in equations.

Q4: Does this equation work for circular orbits only?
A: This equation gives the circular orbit velocity. For elliptical orbits, the velocity varies throughout the orbit.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation for real-world applications?
A: This provides the theoretical value. Real-world factors like atmospheric drag, non-spherical gravity fields, and other celestial bodies' influence may require adjustments.