How do I calculate the speed of the International Space Station moving in a circular orbit around the Earth?

Just equate the centripetal force and gravitational force acting on the ISS and find v.

P. S. Google the radius and mass of the Earth, the distance to the ISS from the ground, the mass of the ISS and the constant G. This is all you need to find the speed of the ISS moving in a circular orbit aroung the Earth.

ED
Answered by Eimantas D. Physics tutor

8946 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

Sue's brother is on a sled on top of ice (assume no friction). Sue is pulling her brother with 15 N of force at a 38 degree angle above the horizontal. Calculate the work done if she pulls him for 50 meters.


Based on Newton's 3 laws of motion why is linear momentum always conserved?


Why is centripetal acceleration directed inwards to the centre of the circle during centripetal motion? If I’m in a car while it’s cornering, I seem to be pushed outwards away from the centre, not inwards.


Derive kepler's third law


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning