How Fast Does the Space Shuttle Travel?

Lots of people are interested to know about how fast does the space shuttle travel because it is a fascinating topic:  NASA and many other research organizations are very interested in the way that the space shuttle travels throughout space.  Space is very different than life on Earth: without much gravity, and with different physical forces acting on objects, it is important to study how these objects behave. The space station makes this kind of research possible, but furthermore, it offers a lot of interesting opportunities for scientists to test the limits of physics and beyond.  Keep reading for more information about how fast the space shuttle travels, and for facts about the shuttle as it exists today.

The space shuttle is a place where NASA conducts research in space.  This is a place:

• Where astronauts carry out experiments and learn about the way physics operates in space
• That has produced a lot of research findings over the past several decades
• It is a testament to the power of mankind and also the power of the mind

So, how fast does the space shuttle travel? The space shuttle travels very quickly in space.  In one hour, the shuttle can travel around the earth at 17,500 miles per hour.  This will cause it to stay orbiting around the earth instead of falling towards the center because of the power of gravity.  This fact amazes many people – isn’t it strange that it can travel so fast in space?  This speed is simply incomprehensible while on the surface of the Earth. 

Keep in mind that this speed and how fast the space shuttle travels is dependent upon how far away the shuttle is from the earth.  This can be between about 200 and 300 miles from the level of the sea.  The type of research being conducted on the mission is what influences how high the space shuttle is from the earth, which in turn influences how fast the space shuttle travels around over time. 

This takeoff is made possible by about one half of a million gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid nitrogen.  This is burned in combination with one another and ultimately makes it possible to set the space shuttle in fast orbit around the earth. The launch is usually so quick and powerful that It takes less than a minute to get the countdown started. 

More Information About the Space Shuttle

The space shuttle is one of the most important projects to come out of Florida, where the place to launch space shuttles has become very famous.  The Kennedy Space Center is very famous for their work with the space shuttle and getting interesting candidates for flying into space and studying things while living within the space shuttle.

The space shuttle has made very important missions into space, both in terms of research on a scientific level and in terms of political and national achievement.  We are proud today, despite the struggles of NASA and other programs to stay in business, that the space shuttle remains a beacon of interest and hope in this current economic crisis. 

Continuing Your Research About the Space Shuttle

If you want to learn more about the space shuttle and how fast the space shuttle travels, either search on NASA’s website, or can speak to a rocket scientist who knows more about the issues at hand.