Mechanics

Orbital Velocity

Velocity for circular orbit at radius r.

Variables

v
Orbital velocity
Circular orbit speed
m/s
G
Gravitational constant
6.674×10⁻¹¹
N·m²/kg²
M
Central mass
Mass being orbited
kg
r
Orbital radius
Distance from center
m

Derivation

Set gravitational force = centripetal force: GMm/r² = mv²/r.

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