Orbital Speed and Escape Velocity

Theory

Launched tangentially at distance $r$: with the orbital speed $v_c=\sqrt{GM/r}$ the probe circles; between $v_c$ and the escape velocity $v_e=\sqrt{2GM/r}=\sqrt{2}{v}_c$ it follows an ellipse; at $v\ge v_e$ its total energy $E=\frac{1}{2}m{v}^2-GMm/r\ge 0$ and it never returns (parabola or hyperbola).

What to observe

• Green: $v=v_c$ (circle). Yellow: $v=1.25v_c$ (ellipse). Red: $v=1.5v_c$ (escape).

Try this

• Select the red probe and lower its speed just below $\sqrt{2}{v}_c$.
• Turn on the energy graph: escape happens when $E\ge 0$.

Also available in: Velocidade orbital e velocidade de escape (Português) · Velocidad orbital y velocidad de escape (Español)