pakled: escape velocity is 11.2 km/sec (around 6.8 mi/sec) that's 40,320 km/h (24,436 mi/hr) orbital velocity is 7.9 km/sec (around 4.8 mi/sec) that's 28,440 km/h (17,236 mi/hr) i.e. orbital velocity is around 25 times the speed of sound (measured at sea-level, that is) Willy PS: escape velocity is always SQRT(2) times orbital velocity (for a circular orbit at the same distance from the center of gravity)