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e_j_white t1_j26wo0k wrote

Reply to comment by bitwaba in How fast does the Milky Way spin? How far does Earth move through space in a year? by Sabre-Tooth-Monkey

Nope, orbital speed goes down as you get farther away. The equation is:

v = sqrt(G * M / R)

Larger R, smaller v.

In order to REACH a higher orbit, you need to do work to move the mass to a higher gravitation potential. That type of work requires thrust, but once you're at the larger orbit, the speed is slower.

Conversely, to move CLOSER to the sun, you need "anti-thrust" to move lower in the gravitational potential.

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bitwaba t1_j26xukm wrote

Ah, thank you. That is much clearer.

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