The space shuttle typically travels in a circular orbit at an altitude of 500 km above the Earth's surface. The Earth itself has a radius of about 6400 km. The shuttle can travel in a circular orbit, at constant speed, without any need for the rocket engine to be on, if it travels at just the right speed.
(a) Given that the value of g is 8.5 m/s2 at an altitude of 500 km, determine the value of the shuttle's speed in this circular orbit. (Use three significant figures.)
(b) At this speed, how many orbits does the shuttle make in 24 hours? Use three significant figures. Partial orbits are fine - an answer like 7.34 orbits would be perfectly acceptable.