The space shuttle releases a satellite into a circular orbit 440 km above the Earth. How fast must the shuttle be moving (relative to Earth) when the release occurs?

1 answer

V^2/R = GM/R^2 for circular orbits.

Solve for V

R is the distance from the CENTER of the earth. You will need the Earth's radius, 6378 km. For R, add 440 to that and convert to meters.

G is the universal gravity constant. Get to know it.