Science
Escape velocity
Find the minimum escape speed at a specified distance from a central mass, using gravitational potential energy and a zero speed at infinity.
Calculators / Science / Circular orbital period
Circular orbital period calculator
Calculate the time for a circular orbit and its constant orbital speed from the central mass and the centre-to-centre orbital radius.
On this page
Orbital period5,544.84s
Orbital period92.41min
Orbital speed7,672.62m/s
Calculator controls
How to calculate
Calculate the time for a circular orbit and its constant orbital speed from the central mass and the centre-to-centre orbital radius.
Orbital period = 2*pi*sqrt(r^3/(6.67430e-11*M)) s; Orbital period = 2*pi*sqrt(r^3/(6.67430e-11*M))/60 min; Orbital speed = sqrt(6.67430e-11*M/r) m/s
Worked example
Central mass (kg): 5.9722e+24; Orbital radius (m): 6771000.
Orbital period: 5,544.84 s; Orbital period: 92.41 min; Orbital speed: 7,672.62 m/s.
Assumptions and limits
Calculate the time for a circular orbit and its constant orbital speed from the central mass and the centre-to-centre orbital radius. 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
Calculate the time for a circular orbit and its constant orbital speed from the central mass and the centre-to-centre orbital radius.
When this tool is useful
Orbital period = 2*pi*sqrt(r^3/(6.67430e-11*M)) s; Orbital period = 2*pi*sqrt(r^3/(6.67430e-11*M))/60 min; Orbital speed = sqrt(6.67430e-11*M/r) m/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. |
| Orbital radius (m) | Enter a number of at least 1e-12 and no more than 100000000000000000000. |
Frequently asked questions
What assumptions does this calculation use?
Calculate the time for a circular orbit and its constant orbital speed from the central mass and the centre-to-centre orbital radius. 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?
Orbital period = 2*pi*sqrt(r^3/(6.67430e-11*M)) s; Orbital period = 2*pi*sqrt(r^3/(6.67430e-11*M))/60 min; Orbital speed = sqrt(6.67430e-11*M/r) m/s