What is the perigee velocity of a spacecraft in an elliptical orbit if the eccentricity and semi-major axis of the orbit are 0.9 and 50,000 km respectively?

Correct Answer: 12.307 km/s
Given, Gravitational Parameter (μ) = 398,600 km3/s2 Semi-major axis (a) = 50,000 km Eccentricity (e) = 0.9 From orbit equation for ellipse, Specific angular momentum (h) = (μa(1 – e2))1/2 = (398,600*50,000*(1-0.92))1/2 = 61,536 km2/s Perigee radius (rp) = a(1-e) = 50,000 (1-0.9) = 5,000 km Perigee velocity (vp) = h/rp = 61,536/5,000 = 12.307 km/s