Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / iii / Paper 316 / 1 / ii / Solution

The transverse velocity is $v_{\theta }=h/r$. Subtracting its square from the vis-viva equation, and putting $u=a/r$, givesConsequentlyThe positive branch is outward motion and the negative branch is inward motion. The PDF's unsigned expression gives the radial speed, or the outward branch, rather than the signed radial velocity everywhere. For example, on the inward part of any noncircular elliptic orbit, $\dot{r}<0$.

The same result follows from $\dot{r}=(\mu e/h)\sin f$, with $f$ the true anomaly. The radicand is nonnegative precisely on $1/(1+e)\le u\le 1/(1-e)$; it vanishes at periapsis and apoapsis. For a circular Kepler orbit, $e=0$, $u=1$ and $\dot{r}=0$.