Cosmic Velocity - First to Millimeter 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.

Millimeter per hour measures extremely slow movements in millimeters over an hour. Used for minute geological and material changes.

1 mm/h = 0.001 m/h = 0.0000001 km/h = 0.000000278 m/s.

To m/s: ÷ 3,600,000. To cm/h: ÷ 10. To m/h: ÷ 1,000.

Cave formation rates (stalactite/stalagmite growth), extremely slow material creep, and long-term geological monitoring.

Stalactite growth: 0.1–1 mm/h in active caves. Human hair growth: ~0.015 mm/h. Fingernail growth: ~0.004 mm/h.

Using for anything except the slowest processes. Confusing with mm/min (60× faster).

1,000 mm/h = 1 m/h. Extremely specialized unit. Think geological time scales.