Orbital Velocity
The speed required for a body to maintain a stable circular orbit around a primary gravitational mass at a given radius.
Governing formula
v_orb = √(G M / r)
SI unit
m/s
In depth
Orbital velocity balances centripetal acceleration with gravitational force (m v² / r = G M m / r²). Low Earth Orbit velocity is approximately 7.8 km/s (17,500 mph).
Examples in the real world
The International Space Station orbiting Earth at approximately 7.66 km/s at an altitude of 400 km.