Orbital Speed Formula

Orbital speed is the velocity at which an object needs to be moved so as to maintain a stable orbit around a celestial body like a planet or star. It is the speed at which one needs to travel an object like a satellite or spacecraft; such an object has to balance out the gravitational pull of the body it is orbiting while moving forward in its path.

Definition: It is the velocity that is required to keep the placed object in orbit so that it would neither fall into the celestial body nor move out into space.

Formula 

The orbital speed formula is given as,

Where,

• G = gravitational constant

• M = mass of the planet

• r = radius.

Solved Problem

Problem: The mass of an object is given as 8.35×1022 Kg and the radius is given as 2.7×106m. Find the orbital speed.

Solution:

Given,

M = 8.35×1022kg

R = 2.7×106m

G = 6.673×10-11m3/kgs2

Orbital speed equation is given by,