Satellite Escape Energy Calculator
Calculate the energy required to rocket a satellite out of Earth's gravitational influence. Adjust the parameters below to explore how satellite mass, orbital height, and Earth's mass affect escape energy.
Interactive Controls
Binding Energy
Energy needed to escape Earth's gravity
Current Orbital Velocity
Speed in circular orbit
Escape Velocity
Minimum speed to escape gravity
Current Kinetic Energy
Energy of motion in orbit
Current Potential Energy
Gravitational potential energy
Total Energy
Sum of kinetic and potential energy
Reference Problem
Question: A satellite orbits the earth at a height of 400 km above the surface. How much energy must be expended to rocket the satellite out of the Earth's gravitational influence?
Given: Mass of satellite = 200 kg, Mass of Earth = 6.0×10²⁴ kg, Radius of Earth = 6.4×10⁶ m, G = 6.67×10⁻¹¹ N⋅m²/kg²
Answer: 5.89 × 10⁹ J
Energy Distribution Chart
Energy analysis for the reference problem (200 kg satellite at 400 km altitude)
