16. Once we're already in space, how long does it take to get around? How long will it take to travel between different space landmarks, such as between an orbiting hotel and the Moon? Between one planet and another? (A K2S Question)
From The Space Library
The time it takes to travel from any point in space to another point is completely dependent upon the form of propulsion used. For astronauts these days the Shuttle is used. This fires liquid propellant from nozzles and can increase its speed by small amounts but this is only suitable for ferrying astronauts and equipment to the Space Station and back again. Between an orbiting hotel and the Moon, which is about 236,000 miles from Earth, it would take a matter of days using a standard liquid propellant fuel. Between planets distances are much greater—for instance the Earth and Mars are on average about 62 million miles apart. This is a small distance in terms of the scale of the solar system! It would take a spacecraft about nine months to get to Mars. The inner planets such as Mercury and Venus would also take less than a year to reach. The outer planets are much further away and they would take years to reach in a conventional spacecraft.
Answer provided by Hazel McAndrews
Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer
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