Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Orbital velocity is the minimum velocity required for an object to achieve a stable orbit around another object. It is the speed at which the centripetal force due to gravity exactly balances the centrifugal force caused by the object's motion.
Escape velocity: The minimum velocity required for an object to escape the gravitational pull of another celestial body and move into space.
Centripetal force: The inward-directed force that keeps an object moving in a curved path, such as in a circular or elliptical orbit.
Geostationary orbit: An orbit in which a satellite remains fixed above a specific location on Earth's surface, appearing stationary relative to an observer on Earth.