Science
Circular orbital period
Calculate the time for a circular orbit and its constant orbital speed from the central mass and the centre-to-centre orbital radius.
Calculators / Science / Escape velocity
Escape velocity calculator
Find the minimum escape speed at a specified distance from a central mass, using gravitational potential energy and a zero speed at infinity.
On this page
Escape speed11,186.17m/s
Escape speed11.19km/s
Calculator controls
How to calculate
Find the minimum escape speed at a specified distance from a central mass, using gravitational potential energy and a zero speed at infinity.
Escape speed = sqrt(2*6.67430e-11*M/r) m/s; Escape speed = sqrt(2*6.67430e-11*M/r)/1000 km/s
Worked example
Central mass (kg): 5.9722e+24; Distance from centre (m): 6371000.
Escape speed: 11,186.17 m/s; Escape speed: 11.19 km/s.
Assumptions and limits
Find the minimum escape speed at a specified distance from a central mass, using gravitational potential energy and a zero speed at infinity. Newtonian point-mass model with G = 6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/(kg·s²). Orbiting mass is negligible; orbital radius is measured from the central body centre.
Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded values. Read our calculation methodology.
Understanding the result
Find the minimum escape speed at a specified distance from a central mass, using gravitational potential energy and a zero speed at infinity.
When this tool is useful
Escape speed = sqrt(2*6.67430e-11*M/r) m/s; Escape speed = sqrt(2*6.67430e-11*M/r)/1000 km/s
Understanding your inputs
| Input | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Central mass (kg) | Enter a number of at least 1e-12 and no more than 1e+35. |
| Distance from centre (m) | Enter a number of at least 1e-12 and no more than 100000000000000000000. |
Frequently asked questions
What assumptions does this calculation use?
Find the minimum escape speed at a specified distance from a central mass, using gravitational potential energy and a zero speed at infinity. Newtonian point-mass model with G = 6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/(kg·s²). Orbiting mass is negligible; orbital radius is measured from the central body centre.
How is the result calculated?
Escape speed = sqrt(2*6.67430e-11*M/r) m/s; Escape speed = sqrt(2*6.67430e-11*M/r)/1000 km/s