Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 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.
Related terms
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.