Convert Orbital Speed (ISS) to Earth Escape Velocity
Convert Orbital Speed (ISS) (v_orb) to Earth Escape Velocity (v_esc) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
v_esc = v_orb × 0.6847845521
About Orbital Speed (ISS)
The ISS orbits at ~408 km altitude at ≈7,660 m/s (27,576 km/h) - the practical LEO benchmark. At this speed it completes one orbit in 92.68 min (15.5 orbits per day), giving astronauts 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours. Delta-v to reach LEO from Earth's surface is ~9,400 m/s (with gravity and drag losses). GEO at 35,786 km requires only ~3,075 m/s per Kepler's third law. 1 ISS speed ≈ 7,660 m/s.
About Earth Escape Velocity
Earth's escape velocity = 11,186 m/s at the surface - v_esc = √(2GM/r). A spacecraft launched at this speed (any direction) escapes on a parabolic trajectory; less gives an elliptical orbit. Apollo's trans-lunar injection exceeded this to reach the Moon. Voyager, Pioneer, and New Horizons all exceeded 11.2 km/s at launch. Moon escape velocity 2.38 km/s; Mars 5.03 km/s; Jupiter 59.5 km/s. 1 Earth v_esc ≈ 11,186 m/s = 40,270 km/h.
Quick Reference Table
| Orbital Speed (ISS) (v_orb) | Earth Escape Velocity (v_esc) |
|---|---|
| 1 v_orb | 0.684785 v_esc |
| 2 v_orb | 1.36957 v_esc |
| 5 v_orb | 3.42392 v_esc |
| 10 v_orb | 6.84785 v_esc |
| 25 v_orb | 17.1196 v_esc |
| 50 v_orb | 34.2392 v_esc |
| 100 v_orb | 68.4785 v_esc |