ScienceAges 16-18

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Use the O Level Space Physics orbital speed equation v = 2πr ÷ T to calculate the speed of an orbiting satellite or planet. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

New variation Try interactive challenge Browse templates

Age band:Ages 13-15 Ages 16-18

Choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy. Use your browser’s paper setting for A4 or Letter.

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2200 km with an orbital period of T = 4 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 2200 km · T = 4 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 900 km with an orbital period of T = 9 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 900 km · T = 9 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 800 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 800 km · T = 16 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6400 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 6400 km · T = 16 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 11400 km with an orbital period of T = 19 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 11400 km · T = 19 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3500 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 3500 km · T = 14 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1100 km with an orbital period of T = 11 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1100 km · T = 11 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1300 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1300 km · T = 13 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1400 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1400 km · T = 14 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2550 km with an orbital period of T = 17 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 2550 km · T = 17 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1950 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1950 km · T = 13 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 9000 km with an orbital period of T = 20 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 9000 km · T = 20 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2200 km with an orbital period of T = 4 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3454 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 2200) ÷ 4 = 13816 ÷ 4 = 3454 km/h.
2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 900 km with an orbital period of T = 9 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
628 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 900) ÷ 9 = 5652 ÷ 9 = 628 km/h.
3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 800 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
314 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 800) ÷ 16 = 5024 ÷ 16 = 314 km/h.
4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6400 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
2512 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 6400) ÷ 16 = 40192 ÷ 16 = 2512 km/h.
5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 11400 km with an orbital period of T = 19 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3768 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 11400) ÷ 19 = 71592 ÷ 19 = 3768 km/h.
6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3500 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
1570 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 3500) ÷ 14 = 21980 ÷ 14 = 1570 km/h.
7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1100 km with an orbital period of T = 11 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
628 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1100) ÷ 11 = 6908 ÷ 11 = 628 km/h.
8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1300 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
628 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1300) ÷ 13 = 8164 ÷ 13 = 628 km/h.
9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1400 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
628 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1400) ÷ 14 = 8792 ÷ 14 = 628 km/h.
10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2550 km with an orbital period of T = 17 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
942 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 2550) ÷ 17 = 16014 ÷ 17 = 942 km/h.
11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1950 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
942 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1950) ÷ 13 = 12246 ÷ 13 = 942 km/h.
12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 9000 km with an orbital period of T = 20 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
2826 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 9000) ÷ 20 = 56520 ÷ 20 = 2826 km/h.

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2200 km with an orbital period of T = 4 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 2200 km · T = 4 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 900 km with an orbital period of T = 9 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 900 km · T = 9 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 800 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 800 km · T = 16 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6400 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 6400 km · T = 16 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 11400 km with an orbital period of T = 19 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 11400 km · T = 19 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3500 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 3500 km · T = 14 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1100 km with an orbital period of T = 11 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1100 km · T = 11 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1300 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1300 km · T = 13 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1400 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1400 km · T = 14 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2550 km with an orbital period of T = 17 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 2550 km · T = 17 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1950 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1950 km · T = 13 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 9000 km with an orbital period of T = 20 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 9000 km · T = 20 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2200 km with an orbital period of T = 4 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3454 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 2200) ÷ 4 = 13816 ÷ 4 = 3454 km/h.
2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 900 km with an orbital period of T = 9 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
628 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 900) ÷ 9 = 5652 ÷ 9 = 628 km/h.
3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 800 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
314 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 800) ÷ 16 = 5024 ÷ 16 = 314 km/h.
4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6400 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
2512 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 6400) ÷ 16 = 40192 ÷ 16 = 2512 km/h.
5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 11400 km with an orbital period of T = 19 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3768 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 11400) ÷ 19 = 71592 ÷ 19 = 3768 km/h.
6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3500 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
1570 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 3500) ÷ 14 = 21980 ÷ 14 = 1570 km/h.
7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1100 km with an orbital period of T = 11 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
628 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1100) ÷ 11 = 6908 ÷ 11 = 628 km/h.
8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1300 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
628 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1300) ÷ 13 = 8164 ÷ 13 = 628 km/h.
9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1400 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
628 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1400) ÷ 14 = 8792 ÷ 14 = 628 km/h.
10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2550 km with an orbital period of T = 17 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
942 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 2550) ÷ 17 = 16014 ÷ 17 = 942 km/h.
11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1950 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
942 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1950) ÷ 13 = 12246 ÷ 13 = 942 km/h.
12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 9000 km with an orbital period of T = 20 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
2826 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 9000) ÷ 20 = 56520 ÷ 20 = 2826 km/h.

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification