The average speed of an orbiting space shuttle is 19700 mi/h. The shuttle is orbiting about 125 mi above the Earth’s surface. Assume the Earth’s radius is 3963 mi.

Question

How long does it take to circle the earth? Answer in units of h.

Answer 1

r = 3963 + 125
circumference of orbit = 2 pi r

time = circumference /19700