Cosmic Velocity - First to Foot per Hour

The first cosmic velocity (escape velocity from Earth's surface to orbit) is approximately 7,900 m/s (7.9 km/s), the minimum speed needed to achieve Earth orbit.

v₁ = √(GM/r) where G is gravitational constant, M is Earth's mass, r is Earth's radius. Approximately 7.9 km/s.

To km/h: × 3,600. To mph: × 17,672. 7.9 km/s = 28,440 km/h = 17,672 mph.

Minimum speed for satellites, space station orbit, and low Earth orbit (LEO) calculations.

ISS orbits at ~7.66 km/s. Below this speed, you fall back to Earth. Above it, you stay in orbit (if horizontal).

Confusing with escape velocity (second cosmic velocity, 11.2 km/s) — orbital velocity is lower.

Remember: ~8 km/s for orbit, ~11 km/s to escape. v₁ is minimum for orbit, not escape.

Foot per hour measures distance in feet traveled over one hour. Used for very slow movements in imperial units.

1 ft/h = 0.000085 m/s = 0.0003048 km/h = 0.3048 m/h.

To ft/s: ÷ 3,600. To mph: ÷ 5,280. To m/s: × 0.000085.

Glacier movement in US studies, very slow industrial processes, and some geological measurements.

Some glaciers move at 50–500 ft/h. Very slow conveyor systems might use this unit.

Confusing with ft/min (60× faster) or ft/s (3,600× faster).

5,280 ft/h = 1 mph. Extremely slow. Rarely used outside specialized contexts.