At what point in an elliptical orbit is the satellite moving fastest?

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Study for the Space and National Security Test. Review with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam!

Multiple Choice

At what point in an elliptical orbit is the satellite moving fastest?

Explanation:
In an elliptical orbit, speed changes with distance from the body being orbited: the closer you are, the faster you must travel to keep following the path. This comes from energy and angular momentum conservation. The vis-viva relation, v = sqrt(mu*(2/r - 1/a)), shows that as r (distance to the focus) decreases, the speed v increases. Perigee is the point of closest approach, where r is smallest, so the velocity there is the greatest. At the farthest point, apogee, the speed is the smallest. The ascending node is simply where the orbit crosses the reference plane, not tied to how fast the satellite is moving.

In an elliptical orbit, speed changes with distance from the body being orbited: the closer you are, the faster you must travel to keep following the path. This comes from energy and angular momentum conservation. The vis-viva relation, v = sqrt(mu*(2/r - 1/a)), shows that as r (distance to the focus) decreases, the speed v increases. Perigee is the point of closest approach, where r is smallest, so the velocity there is the greatest. At the farthest point, apogee, the speed is the smallest. The ascending node is simply where the orbit crosses the reference plane, not tied to how fast the satellite is moving.

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