Question

An satellite that is in an elliptical orbit around Earth. The satellite travels fastest when it is:

Responses

Closest to Earth

Answer 1

Correct! A satellite in an elliptical orbit travels fastest when it is closest to Earth, a point known as perigee. According to Kepler's laws of planetary motion, a satellite speeds up as it approaches the body it is orbiting due to the gravitational pull being stronger at closer distances.