A research satellite is to be placed in a circular orbit 300km above Earth’s surface. Take ME=6.0×1024kg, RE=6.4×106m and G=6.67×10−11N m2kg−2.
a. (i) Calculate the orbital speed of the satellite at the stated altitude.
b. (ii) Determine the escape speed from the same altitude and express the orbital speed as a fraction of the escape speed.
c. (iii) Find the kinetic energy per unit mass of the satellite in this orbit.