1. What is the Earth Orbit Equation?

The Earth orbit equation calculates the orbital radius (distance from Earth's center) based on altitude above Earth's surface. It's fundamental for satellite operations and space mission planning.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Earth orbit equation:

Where:

• \( r \) — Orbital radius (distance from Earth's center)
• \( R_{earth} \) — Earth's radius (default 6,371,000 m)
• \( h \) — Altitude above Earth's surface

Explanation: The equation simply adds the Earth's radius to the altitude to get the total distance from Earth's center.

3. Importance of Orbit Radius Calculation

Details: Accurate orbital radius is crucial for determining orbital period, velocity requirements, and communication timing for satellites and spacecraft.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter altitude in meters and Earth's radius (default is 6,371 km). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's Earth's average radius?
A: Earth's mean radius is approximately 6,371 km (6,371,000 meters).

Q2: How does altitude affect orbital period?
A: Higher altitudes result in longer orbital periods according to Kepler's third law.

Q3: What's a typical low Earth orbit altitude?
A: LEO typically ranges from 160 km to 2,000 km above Earth's surface.

Q4: Does Earth's radius vary by location?
A: Yes, Earth is an oblate spheroid - polar radius is about 6,357 km while equatorial is about 6,378 km.

Q5: How precise is this calculation?
A: For most purposes it's sufficiently precise, though extremely precise calculations may need to account for Earth's oblateness.