If an object is launched radially away from a planet, it will continue to follow a straight path. If it is not launched radially, however, its path will be a curve. If the launch speed is less than the escape speed, (assuming it reaches an orbit) this curve will be (an):

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the launch speed is less than the escape speed, the object will enter into an elliptical orbit around the planet, rather than escape entirely or follow a parabolic or hyperbolic trajectory.

If an Object Is Launched Radially Away from a Planet