Space debris left from old satellites and their launchers is becoming a hazard to other satellites. (a) calculate the speed of a satellite in an orbit 900 km above earth’s surface. (b) suppose a loose rivet is in an orbit of the same radius that intersects the satellite’s orbit at an angle of 90º relative to earth. what is the velocity of the rivet relative to the satellite just before striking it?

Part a)

Part b)

Explanation:

Part a)

As we know that orbital velocity at certain height from the surface of Earth is given as

here we know that

now we have

Part b)

When a loose rivet is moving in same orbit but at 90 degree with the previous orbit path then in that case the relative speed of the rivet with respect to the satellite is given as

i think it's 35 meters

so easy. just google the electromagnetic waves and it’ll pop up.