MEO Satellite Angular Velocity Calculator
Angular Velocity of MEO satellite is the rate at which it moves around the Earth in radians per second. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite refers to the satellite placed in between 2000 Km and 35786 km height, which is above the LEO orbit and below the GEO orbit. Here we will calculate the Angular velocity of the satellite specifically for those satellites placed in MEO orbit.
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- d = radius of the orbit
- g0 = 398600.5 km3/s2
Here, g0 is the Standard Gravitational Parameter of Earth
g0 = G (M+m) ≈ GM = 398600.5 km3/s2
where,
- G is the Gravitational Constant
- M & m are the Masses of the two objects (i.e., earth and satellite in this calculator)
Note: The radius of a MEO orbit is approximately between 2000 km and 35786 km. So, the satellites in the MEO orbit are placed in between the given range.
Formula Derivation:
The angular velocity of a satellite is:
W = 2π / T.........................................................................................(equation 1)
The Orbital Time, T of a satellite is:
T = 2πd3/2 / √g0 .........................................................................................................(equation 2)
Substitute the equation of orbital time in angular velocity then:
W = 2π * √ g0/ 2πd3/2
W = √ g0 / d3/2
For example:
Consider the radius of the orbit, d = 5000 km
Then, the angular velocity of the satellite, W
= √ g0 / d3/2
= √ 398600.5 / 50003/2
= 0.00178572 rad/sec
