Cosmic Velocity - Second to Millimeter 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.

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.