Solar System Delta-V Explorer

Escape vs. solar-impact orbital mechanics

It is in fact easier to escape the Solar System than to impact the Sun. Use the slider below to explore the effect of delta-v on a circular orbit 1 AU from the Sun, or click the buttons to snap to the minimum delta-v required for impact or escape.

Tangential delta-v: 0.00 km/s

Initial circular orbit:

1.00 AU

29.78 km/s

Presets:

Circular orbit

Bound, non-impacting heliocentric orbit.

Orbital parameters

Post-burn speed—

Specific orbital energy—

Eccentricity—

Semimajor axis—

Periapsis—

Apoapsis—

Hyperbolic excess speed—

Orbital period—