Vis-viva equation
Vis-viva (ecuación)
- Date
- 1687 · confidence medium
- Place
- Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
- Credited to
- Isaac Newton
- Field
- Cosmos & Earth
What was discovered
An equation modelling the motion of orbiting bodies from conservation of mechanical energy, relating orbital speed to the distance from the central body and the orbit's semi-major axis; originally derived by Isaac Newton.
What it led to
- Basic tool of astrodynamics and orbital trajectory design
- Calculation of transfer velocities and space maneuvers
- Basis for the development of celestial mechanics after Newton