Question 1

What is orbital velocity?

Accepted Answer

The speed needed to orbit at a given altitude. ISS: 7.66 km/s. Moon: 1.02 km/s around Earth. Lower orbit = faster.

Question 2

Why do lower orbits move faster?

Accepted Answer

Closer to Earth = stronger gravity = faster speed needed to stay in orbit. ISS (400 km) is faster than GPS satellites (20,200 km).

Question 3

What's the fastest speed possible?

Accepted Answer

The speed of light (299,792,458 m/s or about 670 million mph) is the universal speed limit. Nothing with mass can reach it.

Question 4

Why do pilots and sailors use knots?

Accepted Answer

One knot = one nautical mile per hour. Nautical miles relate directly to Earth's latitude (1 nm = 1 minute of latitude), simplifying navigation.

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