Question

The Earth’s radius is about 6380 km. The
space shuttle is orbiting about 300.1 km above
Earth’s surface.
If the average speed of the space shuttle is
25700 km/h, find the time required for it to
circle Earth.
Answer in units of h

Answer 1

Radius of the orbit R = 6380 + 300.1 km

The circumference of the orbit is
C = 2(Pi)R km

The period of the orbit is then

P = 2(Pi)R/25,700 km/hr