Why does the satellite slow down in its orbit?

The Short Answer: Even when satellites are thousands of miles away, Earth’s gravity still tugs on them. Gravity—combined with the satellite’s momentum from its launch into space—cause the satellite to go into orbit above Earth, instead of falling back down to the ground.

Why does an orbiting satellite speed remain constant?

At all instances during its trajectory, the force of gravity acts in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the satellite is moving. For this reason, there is no acceleration in the tangential direction and the satellite remains in circular motion at a constant speed.

What can causes satellites to lose speed in low orbits?

Atmospheric drag at orbital altitude is caused by frequent collisions of gas molecules with the satellite. It is the major cause of orbital decay for satellites in low Earth orbit. It results in the reduction in the altitude of a satellite’s orbit.

Why is it possible for a satellite to have a constant speed but a changing velocity?

An object moving in a circular orbit at a constant speed has a changing velocity. This is because velocity is a vector quantity that depends on speed and direction. The object in orbit is accelerating, even though its speed remains constant, because its velocity is changing.

How do satellites maintain their speed?

Satellites are able to orbit around the planet because they are locked into speeds that are fast enough to defeat the downward pull of gravity. A satellite maintains its orbit by balancing two factors: its velocity (the speed it takes to travel in a straight line) and the gravitational pull that Earth has on it.

Do all satellites move at the same speed?

No, satellites that orbit at different altitudes have different speeds. Objects orbiting at that altitude travel about 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour). The GOES system of satellites, which tracks weather and other things, is in a geosynchronous orbit, 36,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) above the earth.

Why is a satellite velocity not constant?

The speed of the satellite would remain constant only if its orbit is perfect circular. This is because any object undergoes circular motion due to a force known as centripetal force. In this case the gravitational force of Earth provides the necessary centripetal force.

Does the speed of the satellite remain constant in a particular orbit?

The speed of satellite always remains constant in an orbit.

Why do planets orbit at different speeds?

When a planet is closer to the Sun the Sun’s gravitational pull is stronger, so the planet moves faster. When a planet is further away from the sun the Sun’s gravitational pull is weaker, so the planet moves slower in its orbit.

What force causes planets to orbit?

gravity
First, gravity is the force that pulls us to the surface of the Earth, keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun and causes the formation of planets, stars and galaxies.

What happens when a satellite is in a stable orbit?

If the satellite is moving too slowly then the gravitational attraction will be too strong, and the satellite will fall towards the Earth. This occurs at speeds around or below 7600 m/s. A stable orbit is one in which the satellite’s speed is just right – it will not move off into space or spiral into the Earth, but will travel around a fixed path.

What happens if a satellite is moving too fast?

If the satellite is moving too quickly then the gravitational attraction between the Earth and the satellite is too weak to keep it in orbit. If this is the case, the satellite will move off into space. This occurs at speeds around or above 11,200 metres per second (m/s).

Can a satellite orbit the Earth in an elliptical orbit?

This can happen only if the satellite is at a particular altitude with proper orbital velocity given in the correct direction. The satellite orbiting the Earth in an elliptical orbit will revolve around the Earth in a particular time, but its velocity changes at different points on the ellipse.

Why do small orbits travel faster than large orbits?

This means that objects in small orbits travel faster than objects in large orbits. In order to change orbital speed, an object must change the radius of its orbit at the same time, to maintain a stable orbit.