How fast would someone have to travel to orbit the earth a foot above the ground?

Question

I thought of this while pondering Newton's Cannon.

I know it is flawed. I mean orbit in the sense that things orbit other objects in space--not flight.

Answer 1

Intel_knight is pretty much correct. The calculation of the required orbital velocity is more of less based on the distance from the centre of the earth. Given the radius of the earth is 4000 mi (6400 km), there is not much difference relative wise between one foot and 100 mi above the surface, it shouldn't be much more than what low-orbit satellites require.

Of course, this assumes a rather spherical world with no air resistance, so it might only apply over ocean while in a phase shift from the atmosphere. With a little alchemical application, this shouldn't be a problem. (A little inference to Newton's Cannon there.)

Answer 2

It would be a little faster than the Shuttle needs to orbit 200 miles up, but not that much faster. The higher the orbit, the slower you need to go to stay there, but orbital speed depends on the distance from the center of Earth, not distance from the surface. The surface is about 3800 miles from the center and the shuttle orbits 200 miles above that, or 4,000 miles from the center of the Earth, not a big difference percentage wise. I am assuming a circular orbit, and no air friction of course.

Answer 3

m v v / R = m g

v v = gR

R is the radius of earth.

Taking R = 6379 km

V^2 = 9.8 x 6379000

V= 7907 m / s or 8 km/ s
V = 4.97 miles/ s.

Air resistance has to be taken into account, which is enormous.

Earth’s rotational speed of 465 m/s = 0.29 mile /second toward East has also to be taken into account.

Answer 4

i think you have to rephrase your question.. it doesnt make alot of sense but i get what your trying to say.

how long would it take?

What speed?

can a plane fly great distances at one foot above ground? and if so what would be the traveling speed and how long would it take to travel around the earth?

Answer 5

it's going to be way faster than the sattelites because you are soo much closer to the ground.
if you go fast enough, your vehicle will be destroyed because of all the friction
even if you go fast enough and you manage to have your vehicle some how survive that speed, there are going to be way to many obsticles in the way to get all the way around

Answer 6

pretty much same speed as orbiting high up in space - 7.8 Km/s

now maintaining that speed in the atmosphere (& not burning up) is one tricky thing to do.

Answer 7

Your question is flawed.... If you give me air to fly though and enough fuel I can do the job at only 1 cm / hour... Even less.

Answer 8

I'd say pretty darn fast.

Answer 9

dunno