Orbital velocity is the speed an object must reach to maintain a stable orbit around a larger body, like a planet or a star. This velocity depends on the mass of the larger body and the distance from its center. For example, the Earth requires a satellite to travel at about 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour) to stay in orbit. When an object achieves orbital velocity, it balances the gravitational pull of the larger body with its forward motion. This balance prevents the object from falling back to the surface while allowing it to travel around the larger body in a curved path.