Escape Velocity


Remember the total energy of an object is E = K + U:
 
 

And remember that E<0 orbits were bound, E>0 orbits were unbound. To find the critical velocity at which something will escape, set E=0:
 

 
 

and solve for the escape velocity:
 

 
 
For example, what speed will a rocket need to escape from the Earth?
Why doesn't the space shuttle need to reach this speed?