Escape Speed: a Satellite Is in Circular Orbit at an Altitude

Multiple Choice

Escape speed: A satellite is in circular orbit at an altitude of 2300 km above the surface of a nonrotating asteroid with an orbital speed of 5.9 km/s. The minimum speed needed to escape from the surface of the asteroid is 14.6 km/s, and G = 6.67 × 10^-11 N ∙ m²/kg². The mass of the asteroid is closest to

A) 1.8 × 10²⁴ _kg.
B) 8.9 × 10²³ _kg.
C) 1.3 × 10²⁴ _kg.
D) 2.7 × 10²⁴ _kg.
E) 3.6 × 10²⁴ _kg.