Convert Cosmic Velocity - First (v₁) to Meter/Hour (m/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.
Meter/Hour (m/h)
A meter per hour is an extremely slow speed, corresponding to the distance of a single meter traveled over a 60-minute period. This unit is rarely encountered in daily life but is useful in engineering contexts where mechanical motion is very slow—such as conveyor systems, slow-moving robotics, geological creep, or precision laboratory instruments. Environmental sciences also use m/h to describe gradual natural processes like glacier movement or soil displacement. The unit highlights the diversity of real-world velocities—from near-light-speed phenomena to movements almost imperceptibly slow.