Cosmic Velocity - First to Meter 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.

Meter per hour measures the distance in meters traveled over the course of one hour. It's a very slow speed unit used for measuring gradual processes.

1 m/h = 1/3600 m/s = 0.000278 m/s. Very small speed unit for very slow processes.

To m/s: ÷ 3,600. To km/h: ÷ 1,000. To ft/h: × 3.281.

Glacier movement (typically 10–200 m/h in fast glaciers), hair growth (0.0001 m/h), slow industrial processes, and scientific experiments.

Average glacier: 10–100 m/h. Tectonic plate movement: ~0.005 m/h. Bamboo (fastest growing plant): up to 0.091 m/h.

Confusing m/h with m/s — m/h is 3,600 times slower. Using it for normal speeds instead of km/h or m/s.

Remember: 1,000 m/h = 1 km/h. Useful for very slow processes. Think glaciers, not cars.