How Long Does It Take To Get To Space?
How Long Does It Take To Get To Space?
The key factor in launching any spacecraft is successfully lifting it off the ground. Overcoming the force of Earth's gravity requires a significant amount of energy, but once the spacecraft is in motion, it ascends rapidly.
So, how long does it take to reach space?
To begin with, we need to establish what we mean by "space". Typically, the point at which the Earth's atmosphere ends is recognized as approximately 100km (62 miles) above the planet's surface - this boundary is known as the Karman Line. Beyond this lies the Thermosphere and Exosphere.
For perspective, the International Space Station orbits at an altitude ranging between 435km (205 miles) and 435km (270 miles) above the Earth's surface.
How long does it take for each launch?
The American shuttle, which has since been retired, would pass the Karman Line approximately two minutes and thirty seconds after liftoff. It would achieve the altitude of the International Space Station and enter a stable orbit after about eight minutes and thirty seconds. Russian Soyuz rockets would cover the same distance in a comparable timeframe.
In contrast, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy - the world's most powerful operational rocket - reached the Karman Line after three minutes and twenty-four seconds during its launch. The Falcon Heavy was carrying an electric sports car, supported by two rocket boosters and a core engine providing 2.9 million pounds of thrust. This is equivalent to the combined thrust of approximately 18 Boeing 747 jumbo jets, all facing directly upwards.
How does a launch feel for astronauts?
Entering space is an arduous journey that takes a physical and mental toll on astronauts.
Mike Leinbach, a launch director at NASA, explained the demanding nature of the journey: "If you think about it, we're accelerating a 4-1/2 million pound system from zero miles per hour to its orbital velocity of 17,500 miles per hour in those 8-1/2 minutes. So it's a heck of a ride for the astronauts."
During most of the ascent, astronauts typically experience about three times the force of gravity. Once the spacecraft reaches orbit and the main engines are cut off, the astronauts experience virtually instantaneous transition from three-G acceleration to zero acceleration. This is when they become weightless in orbit.
