Escape Velocity & Orbits

Click to place a body, drag to set initial velocity — watch orbits, escapes, and crashes

Presets

Settings

Click canvas to add body
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Bodies
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Total Energy
Vis-viva equation:
v² = GM(2/r − 1/a)
vesc = √(2GM/r)

Circular orbit: e = 0
Elliptical: 0 < e < 1
Parabolic: e = 1 (escape)
Hyperbolic: e > 1

Drag after clicking to set velocity direction & speed.