For First Responders · Escape Velocity
Escape Velocity for a supernova
Built for first responders planning or training for real incidents. Run fast what-if scenarios for response planning and training — no software to install in the field. Simulate a supernova live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Escape & Orbital VelocityLive
how fast to leave a world
Escape velocity — Earth
11.19km/s
7.91
orbital km/s
1.00
surface g (× Earth)
Controls
Presets
Escape velocity v = √(2GM/R) is the speed needed to break free of a body's gravity from its surface, ignoring air resistance. Circular orbital velocity is √(GM/R) — a factor of √2 smaller. Both depend only on mass and radius, not on the mass of the escaping object.
Data Inspector
Escape velocity11.19 km/s
Orbital velocity7.91 km/s
Surface gravity9.82 m/s²
Governing equation
Reading this result: Leaving Earth takes 11.2 km/s no matter the spacecraft mass, while a circular orbit needs only 7.9 km/s — smaller by exactly √2 (about 1.41×).
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
More with Escape Velocity
Frequently asked questions
- Is this good for first responders?
- Yes — this version of "Escape Velocity for a supernova" is framed for first responders planning or training for real incidents. Run fast what-if scenarios for response planning and training — no software to install in the field.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.