Cosmic Velocity - Second to Meter per Minute

The second cosmic velocity (Earth's escape velocity) is approximately 11,200 m/s (11.2 km/s), the minimum speed to escape Earth's gravity completely.

v₂ = √(2GM/r) = √2 × v₁ ≈ 11.2 km/s. Exactly √2 times the first cosmic velocity.

To km/h: × 3,600. To mph: × 25,000. 11.2 km/s = 40,320 km/h = 25,053 mph.

Moon missions, Mars missions, deep space probes (Voyager, New Horizons), and any mission leaving Earth's gravity well.

Apollo missions: ~11.2 km/s. Voyager probes: exceeded v₂ to leave solar system. New Horizons: launched at record 16.26 km/s (fastest ever from Earth).

Thinking you need this speed everywhere — you only need it at launch. In space, much less Δv is needed.

~11 km/s to escape Earth. √2 × orbital velocity. Remember: orbit ≈ 8 km/s, escape ≈ 11 km/s.

Meter per minute measures the distance in meters traveled in one minute. It's useful for walking speeds, slow vehicle movements, and industrial processes.

1 m/min = 1/60 m/s = 0.0167 m/s = 0.06 km/h. There are 60 seconds in a minute.

To m/s: ÷ 60. To km/h: × 0.06. To ft/min: × 3.281.

Walking pace (70–90 m/min), escalator speed (30–40 m/min), treadmill settings, slow conveyor belts, and some marine biology (fish swimming).

Comfortable walking: 80 m/min (4.8 km/h). Fast walking: 100+ m/min. Escalator: 35 m/min. Slow jog: 150 m/min.

Confusing m/min with km/h — 60 m/min = 3.6 km/h, not 60 km/h. Mixing up m/min with ft/min.

60 m/min = 1 m/s. Quick conversion: m/min ÷ 60 = m/s. Good for walking/jogging pace calculations.