Cosmic Velocity - First to Millimeter per Minute

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 minute measures small distances in millimeters traveled over one minute.

1 mm/min = 0.001 m/min = 0.0000167 m/s = 0.00006 km/h.

To m/s: ÷ 60,000. To cm/min: ÷ 10. To m/min: ÷ 1,000.

CNC machine feed rates (50–500 mm/min for cutting), 3D printer speeds, medical infusion pumps, and slow actuator movements.

3D printer typical: 40–150 mm/min. Slow drill feed: 10–100 mm/min. Medical IV drip: 1–50 mm/min (linear displacement).

Confusing with mm/s (60× faster) or cm/min (10× faster).

1,000 mm/min = 1 m/min. Very common in machining. Good for precision movements.