Escape Velocity Formula
v_e = √(2·G·M / r)
What it means
The minimum speed needed to break free from a planet or star's gravity without further propulsion.
Variables
| Symbol | Quantity | SI unit |
|---|---|---|
v_e | escape velocity | m/s |
G | gravitational constant | N·m²/kg² |
M | mass | kg |
r | radius | m |
Worked example
Given G = 6.6740e-11 N·m²/kg², M = 5.9720e+24 kg, r = 6.3710e+6 m, solve for v_e:
v_e = 11185.7 m/s