Difference between binding energy and escape energy of a satellite

Let us first start with defining what is a satellite.

A satellite is a moon, planet or a machine that orbits a planet or star.

Binding Energy for a satellite

Since they are moving in an orbit, so definitely there is an energy that is keeping the satellite bounded with the planet.

The minimum amount of energy that is required for a satellite to escape from earth’s gravitational influence is called as Binding Energy of a satellite.

The formula for the binding energy for a satellite at height h above the earth’s surface is given by
Binding Energy = GMm/2r
Where, G – Universal Gravitational Constant
M – Mass of earth
m – Mass of satellite
r – Radius of orbit i.e. Radius of earth + height at which staellite is orbiting the earth. i.e r = R+h

Similarly binding energy of a satellite at rest on the surface of earth is given by
Binding Energy = GMm/R

Where, G – Universal Gravitational Constant
M – Mass of earth
m – Mass of satellite
R – Radius of earth

Escape Energy for a satellite
The minimum amount of energy by which a body should be projected from the earth’s surface, so that it escapes from the earth’s gravitational field is called the Escape Energy of the body.

The velocity with which the body is projected is called as escape velocity.

It is given by,

Where, g is acceleration due to gravity and
R is the radius of Earth.