`v = sqrt((Gm_E)/ r )`

Enter a value for all fields

The Velocity of a Circular Orbit calculator computes the mean velocity of an object in a circular Earth orbit based on the radius (r), the Mass of the Earth (m_E), and the Universal Gravity constant (G).

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (r)  This is the radius of the orbit.

Orbital Velocity (V): The calculator returns the velocity (V) in meters per second.  However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.

Related Calculators:

• Velocity of an object in a circular orbit
• Kepler's 3^rd Law Calculator

The Math / Science

The formula for the velocity of a circular orbit around the Earth is:

`v = sqrt((M_e * G)/r^2)`

where:

• v is the mean orbital velocity
• M_e is the mass of the Earth
• G is the universal gravitational constant
• r is the radius from the center of the Earth to the orbit

Reference

University Physics 12th Edition, Chapter 12, Equation #12.10