Orbital Period Calculator
The orbital period is the time a satellite, moon or spacecraft takes to complete one lap around a central body, and it follows directly from the mass it orbits and the size of the orbit. Newton form of Kepler third law says the period equals two pi times the square root of the orbit radius cubed divided by the gravitational constant times the central mass. This calculator takes the central mass in kilograms and the orbit radius in kilometers, then returns the period in seconds, minutes and hours along with the circular orbital speed. It is handy for low Earth orbit satellites, geostationary planning or moons of other planets. All calculation is done locally in your browser with no server involved.
How to use Orbital Period Calculator
- Enter the central body mass.
- Enter the orbit radius from the center.
- Read the orbital period and, where shown, the orbital velocity.
Frequently asked questions
How is orbital period computed here?
It uses the Newton form of Kepler third law, so the period grows with the orbit radius to the three-halves power and shrinks as the central mass increases.
Why does a lower orbit finish faster?
A smaller orbit radius means both a shorter path and stronger gravity, so a low satellite laps the planet in far less time than a distant one.
Does the orbiting body own mass affect the period?
For a light satellite around a heavy body the orbiting mass is negligible, so the period is set almost entirely by the central mass and radius.
What is Orbital Period Calculator?
The orbital period is the time a satellite, moon or spacecraft takes to complete one lap around a central body, and it follows directly from the mass it orbits and the size of the orbit. Newton form of Kepler third law says the period equals two pi times the square root of the orbit radius cubed divided by the gravitational constant times the central mass.
Is Orbital Period Calculator free to use?
Yes. Orbital Period Calculator is completely free, with no sign-up and no usage limits.
Does Orbital Period Calculator work in a web browser?
Yes. Orbital Period Calculator runs in any modern web browser. There is nothing to download or install.
Is my data private with Orbital Period Calculator?
Yes. Orbital Period Calculator runs entirely on your device in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded to a server.
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