{"id":65891,"date":"2026-09-30T13:56:40","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T10:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/?p=65891"},"modified":"2026-09-30T13:56:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T10:56:40","slug":"orbital-velocity-calculator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/physics\/orbital-velocity-calculator\/","title":{"rendered":"Orbital Velocity Calculator"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Find the Speed Needed for a Circular Orbit<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"65891\" data-favorite-title=\"Orbital Velocity\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/physics\/orbital-velocity-calculator\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Calculate the speed needed for a circular orbit around Earth, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, the Sun, or a custom body. Enter an altitude or orbital radius and get the orbital velocity, period, and orbit length.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-astronomy\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/physics\/orbital-velocity-calculator\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-65891\" data-post=\"65891\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input is-1\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field is-single\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">Central body<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-1\" name=\"central_body\"><option value=\"earth\" selected>Earth<\/option><option value=\"moon\">Moon<\/option><option value=\"mars\">Mars<\/option><option value=\"jupiter\">Jupiter<\/option><option value=\"sun\">Sun<\/option><option value=\"custom\">Custom body<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field is-single\" id=\"input-2\"><label for=\"field-2\">Distance type<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-2\" name=\"distance_type\"><option value=\"altitude\" selected>Altitude above the surface<\/option><option value=\"radius\">Orbital radius from the centre<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field is-single has-term\" id=\"input-3\"><label for=\"field-3\">Orbit altitude (h)<\/label><div class=\"term\">h<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><div class=\"field-group\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"orbit_altitude_h\" id=\"field-3\" aria-describedby=\"calc-info-3\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" placeholder=\"e.g. 400\" min=\"0\" value=\"400\"\/><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-4\" name=\"unit\" aria-label=\"Unit\"><option value=\"km\" selected>km<\/option><option value=\"m\">m<\/option><option value=\"mi\">miles<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><small id=\"calc-info-3\">Height of the circular orbit above the body&#039;s surface. Zero means an orbit skimming the surface (no atmosphere assumed).<\/small><\/div><div class=\"field is-single has-term\" id=\"input-4\" hidden><label for=\"field-5\">Mass of the body (M)<\/label><div class=\"term\">M<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><div class=\"field-group\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"mass_of_the_body_m\" id=\"field-5\" aria-describedby=\"calc-info-5\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" placeholder=\"e.g. 5.9722\" min=\"0\" value=\"5.9722\"\/><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-6\" name=\"unit\" aria-label=\"Unit\"><option value=\"em\" selected>Earth masses (M\u2295)<\/option><option value=\"kg\">kilograms<\/option><option value=\"sm\">Solar masses (M\u2609)<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><small id=\"calc-info-5\">Mass of your custom central body. Must be greater than zero.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"field is-single has-term\" id=\"input-5\" hidden><label for=\"field-7\">Radius of the body (R)<\/label><div class=\"term\">R<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><div class=\"field-group\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"radius_of_the_body_r\" id=\"field-7\" aria-describedby=\"calc-info-7\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" placeholder=\"e.g. 6371\" min=\"0\" value=\"6371\"\/><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-8\" name=\"unit\" aria-label=\"Unit\"><option value=\"km\" selected>km<\/option><option value=\"m\">m<\/option><option value=\"mi\">miles<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><small id=\"calc-info-7\">Mean radius of your custom body, needed to convert the orbit altitude into an orbital radius.<\/small><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"65891\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Orbital Velocity Results<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Orbital speed (v)<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">v<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-2\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Orbital period (T) and orbit data<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">T<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-2\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"65891\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"disappointed\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"disappointed\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude1e <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Disappointed <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"inaccurate\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"inaccurate\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Orbital Velocity Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\n\\[ v = \\sqrt{\\frac{GM}{r}} \\qquad \\text{with} \\qquad r = R + h \\]\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(v\\) \u2014 orbital velocity, the constant speed of the object along the circular orbit (m\/s)<\/li>\n<li>\\(G\\) \u2014 gravitational constant, \\(G = 6.67430 \\times 10^{-11}\\ \\text{m}^3\\text{kg}^{-1}\\text{s}^{-2}\\)<\/li>\n<li>\\(M\\) \u2014 mass of the central body (kg)<\/li>\n<li>\\(r\\) \u2014 orbital radius, the distance from the centre of the body to the orbit (m)<\/li>\n<li>\\(R\\) \u2014 mean radius of the central body (m)<\/li>\n<li>\\(h\\) \u2014 altitude of the orbit above the body's surface (m)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The formula states that in a circular orbit, gravity provides exactly the centripetal force needed to keep the object moving in a circle: setting \\(GMm\/r^2 = mv^2\/r\\) and solving for \\(v\\) gives the result. The calculator also computes the orbital period from \\(T = 2\\pi\\sqrt{r^3\/GM}\\).<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Orbital Velocity \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> the International Space Station flies in a roughly circular orbit about 400 km above Earth's surface. Find its orbital speed and period.<\/p>\n<p>Earth's standard gravitational parameter is \\(GM = 3.986004 \\times 10^{14}\\ \\text{m}^3\/\\text{s}^2\\) and its mean radius is \\(R = 6371\\ \\text{km}\\). The orbital radius is:<\/p>\n<p>\\[ r = R + h = 6371\\ \\text{km} + 400\\ \\text{km} = 6771\\ \\text{km} = 6.771 \\times 10^{6}\\ \\text{m} \\]<\/p>\n<p>\\[ v = \\sqrt{\\frac{3.986004 \\times 10^{14}}{6.771 \\times 10^{6}}} \\approx 7673\\ \\text{m\/s} \\approx 7.67\\ \\text{km\/s} \\]<\/p>\n<p>\\[ T = 2\\pi\\sqrt{\\frac{(6.771 \\times 10^{6})^3}{3.986004 \\times 10^{14}}} \\approx 5545\\ \\text{s} \\approx 92.4\\ \\text{min} \\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> the ISS must travel at about <strong>7.67 km\/s<\/strong> (roughly 27,600 km\/h or 17,150 mph) to hold its 400 km circular orbit, completing one lap around Earth \u2014 a distance of about 42,543 km \u2014 in about 92 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to Use the Calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Select the <strong>Central body<\/strong> \u2014 Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, the Sun, or <em>Custom body<\/em>. A preset body automatically uses its known mass and radius.<\/li>\n<li>Choose the <strong>Distance type<\/strong>: either <em>Altitude above the surface<\/em> (typical for spacecraft orbits) or <em>Orbital radius from the centre<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Orbit altitude (h)<\/strong> (or the orbital radius, depending on your choice) and pick its unit \u2014 km, m, or miles.<\/li>\n<li>If you chose <em>Custom body<\/em>, fill in the <strong>Mass of the body (M)<\/strong> in Earth masses, kilograms, or solar masses. When entering an altitude, also provide the <strong>Radius of the body (R)<\/strong> so the calculator can convert altitude to orbital radius.<\/li>\n<li>Read the results: the orbital speed in six different units, plus the orbital period and the distance travelled per revolution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What Is Orbital Velocity?<\/h2>\n<p>Orbital velocity is the speed an object must maintain to travel in a circular path around a celestial body without falling into it or drifting away. It is not a matter of escaping gravity \u2014 gravity is fully present in orbit \u2014 but of moving sideways fast enough that the curved fall toward the body exactly matches the curvature of the orbit. An astronaut aboard the ISS is in continuous free fall; the station simply moves forward so fast that it keeps missing the Earth.<\/p>\n<p>The key insight from the formula \\(v = \\sqrt{GM\/r}\\) is that orbital speed depends only on the mass of the central body and the orbital radius \u2014 not on the mass of the orbiting object. A bowling ball and a feather at the same altitude require exactly the same speed. Notice also the inverse relationship with distance: the higher the orbit, the <em>slower<\/em> the required speed. At 400 km the ISS races along at 7.67 km\/s, while a satellite in geostationary orbit at 35,786 km needs only about 3.07 km\/s.<\/p>\n<p>The orbital period \\(T = 2\\pi\\sqrt{r^3\/GM}\\) tells you how long one full revolution takes. It grows rapidly with altitude because the circumference grows while the speed shrinks. Kepler's third law hides inside this expression: the square of the period is proportional to the cube of the orbital radius. For Earth, an orbit whose period equals one sidereal day (23 h 56 min) lies at 35,786 km altitude \u2014 this is the geostationary belt used by communications satellites.<\/p>\n<h2>Assumptions, Limitations and Practical Tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Circular orbits only.<\/strong> The formula gives the exact speed for a circular orbit. Real orbits are usually ellipses, where the speed varies along the path \u2014 fastest at the lowest point (perigee), slowest at the highest point (apogee).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Point-mass assumption.<\/strong> The body is treated as if all its mass were concentrated at its centre, which is excellent for planets and stars but less accurate close to irregular bodies such as small asteroids.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No atmosphere and no perturbations.<\/strong> Drag from an atmosphere, atmospheric braking, the gravity of moons or other planets, and relativistic effects near very massive bodies are all ignored. Low orbits decay over time precisely because of drag.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Two-body problem only.<\/strong> The calculation assumes the orbiting object's mass is negligible compared with the central body. This holds for satellites, spacecraft, and even planets orbiting the Sun.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Altitude of zero<\/strong> means an orbit skimming the surface \u2014 physically impossible for bodies with an atmosphere, but useful for comparing theoretical surface-orbit speeds (about 7.91 km\/s for Earth).<\/li>\n<li>When using a <em>Custom body<\/em>, make sure the orbital radius you enter is larger than the body's radius; otherwise the calculator will warn you that the orbit would lie inside the body.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Related Physics<\/h2>\n<p>Orbital motion is a classic application of <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/physics\/centripetal-force-calculator\/\">centripetal force<\/a> \u2014 gravity plays the role of the force pulling the object toward the centre. The same balance also follows from the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/physics\/conservation-of-energy-calculator\/\">conservation of energy<\/a>: in a circular orbit, kinetic and gravitational potential energy stay constant, and trading altitude for speed in elliptical orbits is a direct energy exchange.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Calculate the speed needed for a circular orbit around Earth, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, the Sun, or a custom body. Enter an altitude or orbital radius and get the orbital velocity, period, and orbit length.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[89],"class_list":["post-65891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-physics","tag-gravity-space"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65891"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65909,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65891\/revisions\/65909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}