Energy of a Satellite
When the satellite is revoling in its orbit it has kinetic energy due to the orbital velocity and due to its position it has potential energy. The sum of these two types of energies in an orbit is the total energy of the satellite.
It is clear that the total energy is negative which means that the satellite is an attached body to the planet. To free it we require external energy.
Binding Energy of a Satellite
“The minimum amount of energy required for a satellite by which it can leave out its orbit or escape from the gravitational influence is called the binding energy of a satellite”. It is represented by Eb.
Total energy of the satellite, Et = \(-\frac{1}{2} \frac{G M m}{r}\)
When the satellite escapes at infinity its total energy will be zero. Hence binding energy of the satellite
Eb = Eb – Et = 0 – \(\left[-\frac{1}{2} \frac{G M m}{r}\right]\)
or Eb = \(\frac{1}{2} \frac{G M m}{r}\)
