Orbital Velocity Calculator
Calculate the velocity required for a circular orbit using v = sqrt(G * M / r).
Velocidad Orbital
7,672.49 m/s
Orbital Velocity vs Mass of Central Body
Fórmula
## Orbital Velocity For a circular orbit, gravitational force provides the centripetal force. ### Derivation Setting G*M*m/r² = m*v²/r and solving: **v = sqrt(G * M / r)** The orbital period is **T = 2*pi*r / v**.
Ejemplo Resuelto
Low Earth orbit at 400 km altitude (r = 6,371 + 400 = 6,771 km).
- 01v = sqrt(G * M / r)
- 02v = sqrt(6.6743e-11 * 5.972e24 / 6.771e6)
- 03v = sqrt(5.888e7)
- 04v ≈ 7,674 m/s
- 05T = 2*pi*r / v ≈ 5,541 s ≈ 92.3 minutes
Preguntas Frecuentes
How is orbital velocity related to escape velocity?
Escape velocity is sqrt(2) times orbital velocity at the same radius: v_escape = sqrt(2) * v_orbital.
Does a satellite in orbit need fuel to stay in orbit?
In an ideal vacuum, no. In low Earth orbit, atmospheric drag gradually slows the satellite, requiring periodic boosts.
What happens if an orbiting object speeds up?
It moves to a higher orbit. If it reaches escape velocity, it leaves the gravitational field entirely.
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