Free Satellite Speed Calculator
Determine the speed and period of a satellite in circular orbit at a given altitude above Earth.
km
Orbital Speed
7,672.59 m/s
Speed (km/s)7.6726 km/s
Orbital Period92.41 min
Orbital Speed vs Altitude Above Surface
Satellite Speed From Altitude
v = √(GM / r) where r = R_Earth + altitude
Using GM_Earth = 3.986e14 m³/s² and R_Earth = 6371 km.
The period follows: T = 2πr / v
Example Calculation
Find the speed of the ISS at 400 km altitude.
- 01r = 6371 + 400 = 6771 km = 6 771 000 m
- 02v = √(3.986e14 / 6 771 000) ≈ 7 673 m/s
- 03Period = 2π × 6 771 000 / 7 673 ≈ 5 542 s ≈ 92.4 min