Convert Cosmic Velocity - First (v₁) to Foot/Hour (ft/h) instantly.
About these units
Cosmic Velocity - First (v₁)
The first cosmic velocity is the minimum horizontal speed an object must achieve to enter a stable orbit around a planetary body without additional propulsion. For Earth, this value is about 7.9 km/s. At this speed, an object's forward motion precisely balances with the gravitational pull downward, creating continuous free-fall—the essence of orbital motion. This velocity is foundational in orbital mechanics. Spacecraft reaching Low Earth Orbit (LEO) must achieve at least this horizontal speed, even if their vertical ascent profile varies. Understanding v₁ was essential in the early space age: it represented the threshold between atmospheric flight and true spaceflight, marking human entry into the orbital era.
Foot/Hour (ft/h)
A foot per hour is almost comically slow, yet still relevant in specific technical fields. Pipeline corrosion creep, structural deformation, glacial shifts, and certain chemical processes may be measured in ft/h when imperial units are required. While practically invisible to human perception, speeds expressed in ft/h become meaningful over long intervals, providing insight into incremental natural or mechanical change.