`epsilon = ( "V" ^2/2) - mu/ "r" `

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The Mechanical Energy per Unit Mass of a Satellite calculator computes the specific mechanical energy, ε, the mechanical energy per unit mass, as a constant of motion for a satellite orbit.  

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (r) Distance of the Satellite from the Center of the Earth
• (V) Velocity of the Satellite

Mechanical Energy per Unit Mass(ε):  The result is in units of Grays, where  1 Gy = 1 Joule/kilogram = 1 meter² / sec².

The Math / Science

This equation computes the specific mechanical energy as the sum of the kinetic energy per unit mass and the potential energy per unit mass.  The formula for the mechanical energy per unit mass of a satellite is:

    `ε = (V^2/2) - (μ/r)`

where:

• ε is the mechanical energy per unit mass of a satellite
• V is the velocity of the satellite
• r is the distance of the satellite from the center of the Earth
• μ is the Earth's Gravitational Constant