A satellite is located 16,526 miles from the center of the Earth and has a nearly circular orbit with a period of 12 hours. Estimate the linear speed of the satellite. Solution linear speed = distance / time since satellite travels in circular orbit, so distance = 2*pi*r ( r = radius = distance of satellite from center of earth = 16,526 miles) distance = 2*3.14*16,526 = 103783.28 miles time = 12 hr speed = 103783.28 / 12 = 8648.6 miles per hr.