international space station ......
anyone know the average velocity of the I.S.S. ?
cheers .... |
Average velocity = Zero. :p - if you're using Earth as the frame of reference.
Its speed can be calculated if the orbit height is known. P= 2 Pi (a^3/u)^1/2 P: orbital period a: the semi-major axis of the orbit (same as the radius of the circle for a circular orbit!) u: gravitational parameter ( ~398601 km3 / Sec2 for Earth) dist = 2 PIE r r: orbit radius = orbit height + Earth's own radius speed = dist / time = 2 PIE r / P A shortcut: For near Earth orbits, if distances are measured in Earth radii, the circular orbital speed is Speed= 7.907 A^-½ km/s A = units of Earth radii This is because the speed inversely to the square of the orbit radius. At the Earth's surface orbital speed is 7.907 km/s Edited because I can't spell 'Pi'. Just discovered my g/f can though. That's what I get for posting before lunch... |
How high is up?
Way back when I worked on the Saturn Apollo program the key speeds for orbit and for lunar insertion were 18,000 MPH and 23,000 MPH respectively. I assume this still applies.
:rolleyes: |
during an intimate moment with the gal in my life, she asked me .....
"hobie, do you know how fast the International Space station travels?" In a moment of inspiration I promised her that I would ask the guys on PPRUNE and hence my question ....... I had in mind a number around 18,000 mph and from the above answers it looks like its around this speed ..... ISS altitude info is available at ..... http://www.spaceflight.esa.int/users...c-iss-open-alt cheers guys ...... |
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