Draw a free body diagram of a satellite in an elliptical orbit showing why its speed increases as it approaches its parent body and decreases as it moves away?

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2026-03-29 19:45

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In a free body diagram of a satellite in an elliptical orbit, the satellite experiences a gravitational force directed toward its parent body. As the satellite approaches the parent body, this gravitational force increases, causing the satellite to accelerate and thus increase its speed. Conversely, as the satellite moves away from the parent body, the gravitational force decreases, resulting in a deceleration and a reduction in speed. This change in velocity is a direct consequence of the conservation of angular momentum and the varying distance from the parent body during the orbit.

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