04. After we leave the atmosphere, will we increase or decrease our speed in space? How fast do Shuttles travel in space? (A K2S Question)

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After we leave the atmosphere, our speed will pick up because we will not have any air friction to slow us down. Our speed will depend on how much thrust our rocket has at that point. And the more fuel we lose, the lighter we are, and the faster we go. In order to stay in space and circle the Earth, the Space Shuttle must travel at least 17,000 mph. The exact number depends on many things, but that is the average speed.

Answer provided by John Cavallaro


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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