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Escape Velocity Calculator
Calculate orbital escape velocity from mass and radius of planets, moons, and stars using Newton's gravitational constant with planetary presets.
🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Escape Velocity (vₑ = √(2GM/R))
Circular Orbital Velocity (v₀)
v₀ = vₑ / √2
Surface Gravity (g)
Solar System Celestial Bodies Escape Velocity Comparison
| Body | Mass (kg) | Radius (km) | Surface Gravity (g) | Escape Velocity |
|---|
How it works
- Select a celestial body preset (Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Sun, or Low Earth Orbit) or enter custom mass and radius.
- The calculator applies Newton\'s law of universal gravitation and conservation of mechanical energy.
- View the parabolic escape velocity in km/s and mph alongside circular orbital velocity and surface gravity.
- Compare escape parameters across our solar system reference table.
The formula
Escape Velocity: vₑ = √(2GM / R)
Circular Orbital Velocity: v₀ = √(GM / R) = vₑ / √2
Surface Gravity: g = GM / R² (where G = 6.6743 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg²)
FAQ
What is escape velocity?
Escape velocity (vₑ) is the minimum initial speed a ballistic, unpropelled object must attain to break free from the gravitational pull of a primary celestial body and travel to infinity without further propulsion.
What is Earth's escape velocity at sea level?
Earth's surface escape velocity is approximately 11.19 km/s (about 25,020 mph or Mach 32.6), ignoring atmospheric air resistance.
How do orbital velocity and escape velocity relate?
Circular orbital velocity (v₀) at any radial distance r is related to escape velocity by a factor of √2: vₑ = √2 × v₀ ≈ 1.414 × v₀. Achieving an additional 41.4% speed boost transforms a closed circular orbit into an open parabolic escape trajectory.
What is the escape velocity of a black hole event horizon?
At the Schwarzschild radius (event horizon) of a black hole, the escape velocity equals the speed of light c (299,792 km/s), meaning nothing—not even light—can escape.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Astronomy textbooks | Manual formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous Orbital & Escape velocity solutions | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Solar system planets & moons benchmark table | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mach number and surface gravity g-ratios | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |