Question

a mad bomber rigs a bomb to a space shuttle so that it will blow if it drops below it's current speed. the crew notices this as the ship begins to orbit earth. thrusters cannot be used except in short burst once a day. there is only one chance to change the orbit. the tools to defuse the bomb are at the space station in a higher orbit that is farther from earth. changing the height of the orbit will change the speed. will the crew blow up if they move higher? please explain in terms of potential and kinetic energy.

Answer 1