Energy Of An Orbiting Satellite

When a satellite revolves around a planet in its orbit, it posses both potential energy (Due to its position against gravitational pull of the earth) and kinetic energy (Due to orbital motion).

If m is mass of the satellite and v is its orbital velocity, then kinetic energy of satellite

Energy Of An Orbiting Satellite
Energy Of An Orbiting Satellite

Satellite are always at finite distance from the earth and hence, their energy cannot be positive or zero. Negative energy means its bounds to the earth.

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