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Question
which factor is not needed when calculating the velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet? (1 point) the orbital radius of the satellite the mass of the planet the universal gravitational constant the mass of the satellite
The orbital velocity of a satellite is derived by equating gravitational force to centripetal force: $G\frac{Mm}{r^2} = m\frac{v^2}{r}$. The satellite's mass $m$ cancels out, leaving $v = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}$, where $G$ is the universal gravitational constant, $M$ is the planet's mass, and $r$ is the orbital radius. Thus, the satellite's mass is not required.
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the mass of the satellite