How much energy is needed to put something into orbit?

The energy required to put an object into orbit depends on its mass and the altitude of the desired orbit. Generally, it takes about 9.81 MJ/kg (megajoules per kilogram) for low Earth orbit, factoring in both the gravitational potential energy and the kinetic energy needed to achieve orbital velocity. For example, launching a 1,000 kg satellite into low Earth orbit would require approximately 9.81 GJ (gigajoules) of energy, not including additional energy needed for atmospheric drag and other losses during launch.