Physical law · Physics
Escape Velocity
Cosmology & UniverseEstablished Science
Definition
The minimum speed needed to break free of a body's gravity without further propulsion.
Scientific overview
Escape velocity grows with mass and shrinks with distance. When the escape velocity from an object's surface reaches the speed of light, not even light can escape — the concept that first suggested 'dark stars' and now defines the event horizon.
Related topics
Knowledge connections
- Required byThe Schwarzschild Radius
- Related toGravity
- Related toThe Schwarzschild Radius
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.