A 470-kg satellite experiences a gravitational force of 850 N.

Use M_{Earth} = 5.972 x 10^{24} kilograms
and
r_{Earth} = 6370 kilometers

What is the radius of the satellite�s orbit?
r_{orbit} = _____________kilometers

What is its altitude?

altitude = ______________kilometers

(no rounding up)

1 answer

m g' at this altitude = 850
so g' = 850/470 = 1.81 m/s^2 we are way out there!
1.81/9.81 = Rearth^2/r^2

Re^2 = 6370000^2 = (6.37*10^6)^2 =40.6*10^12
so
r^2 = 9.81 * 40.6*10^12 /1.81
r^2 = 220 * 10^12
r = 14.8 * 10^6 meters = 14,800 km
r - Re = altitude = 8,430 km