Question

A satellite is in a current orbit around the moon. It is pushed into a new orbit of a greater radius, labeled R. a sphere surrounded by two dotted arcs. The inner arc is closest to the sphere at a distance R from the center of the sphere, and the outer arc is labeled new orbit. How is the speed of the satellite affected by the change in orbit? It will be greater than the original. It will be less than the original. It will be equal to the original. It cannot be determined until observed.

Answer 1

A satellite pushed into a new, higher radius orbit around the moon will have a lower orbital velocity compared to its original orbit.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a satellite moves to an orbit with a greater radius labeled R, its orbital velocity changes in response to the alteration in its gravitational potential energy and centrifugal requirements for the orbit.

According to the principles of conservation of angular momentum and conservation of energy, a satellite in a higher orbit, which has a greater radius, will have a lower orbital speed compared to when it is in a lower orbit. The satellite's speed is greatest when it is closest to the moon at periapsis and least when it is farther away at apoapsis.