Orbit Type
Near-circular
Distance r
180.0 u
Speed v
15.0 u/s
Escape Speed
21.8 u/s
The Physics Behind The Orbit
This simulator uses a central inverse-square gravitational field. A slower tangential launch speed causes the planet to fall inward into a tighter ellipse, a tuned speed produces a near-circular orbit, and a speed above escape launches the body onto an open trajectory.
F = GMm / r^2
v_c = sqrt(GM / r)
v_esc = sqrt(2GM / r)
a = v^2 / r