Convert Cosmic Velocity - Third (v₃) to Earth's Velocity (v⊕) instantly.
About these units
Cosmic Velocity - Third (v₃)
The third cosmic velocity is the speed required to escape the entire Solar System from Earth's orbit, overcoming the gravitational pull of the Sun. This speed is approximately 16.7 km/s, though missions often achieve this gradually using gravitational assists rather than brute-force acceleration. Space probes such as Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and New Horizons have exceeded v₃, making them interstellar travelers. The third cosmic velocity represents the threshold where an object ceases to be bound to the Sun and begins drifting through the galaxy—one of the most profound expansions of human technological capability.
Earth's Velocity (v⊕)
Earth's orbital velocity around the Sun averages about 29.78 km/s, or roughly 107,000 km/h. This enormous speed is imperceptible to us because everything on Earth—including its atmosphere—moves with the planet. Earth's velocity varies slightly over the year due to its elliptical orbit, being fastest at perihelion (closest to the Sun) and slowest at aphelion (farthest distance). This velocity influences astronomical observations, Doppler shifts in starlight, and the calibration of spacecraft navigation. Earth's motion through the Solar System is a reminder that even when we feel stationary, we are traveling at extraordinary speeds through space.