to the nearest mile will suffice
2006-11-03 08:28:47 · 14 answers · asked by michael151037 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Firstly, scientifically, the terms space and outer space are the same thing. The problem is that the Earth's atmosphere doesn't stop suddenly.
It actually seems to depend on your nationality.
The Federation Aeronautique Internationale has established an altitude of 100 km (62 miles) as a working definition for the boundary between atmosphere and space. This is used because, above an altitude of roughly 100 km (62 miles), a vehicle would have to travel faster than orbital velocity in order to derive sufficient aerodynamic lift from the atmosphere to support itself.
The United States currently designates people who travel above an altitude of 50 miles (80 km) as astronauts. BTW, this includes 8 pilots of the X-15 rocket plane, one of whom also met the FAI criterion.
2006-11-03 08:42:57 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
62 miles one hundred kms) from the earths surface is outer space, and that is a very limited concept in the sense that that altitude is the end of gravity.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5287945
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True, there’s not much air at that altitude — indeed, wings become useless. But then again, if you figure that getting into space somehow implies escaping Earth’s maternal grasp, then 100 kilometers isn’t particularly spacey. Even the moon, which is 4,000 times farther than this nominal frontier, is obviously a slave to our planet. It is part of Earth (and, given the circumstances of its birth, is also part Earth).
2006-11-03 16:35:34 · answer #2 · answered by QuiteNewHere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 70 or 75 miles.
2006-11-03 17:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by catgirl0052 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Approximately 100 miles
2006-11-03 16:30:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_space
According to this and the cool diagram, proper outer space is after the exosphere and there is 800km to this from sea level. Makes a really good read!!
Sorry can i just add that you have asked for the distance from the earth's surface. I presume you are talking sea level here? Cos 100km is the distance from the earth's atmosphere to space.
2006-11-03 16:34:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
150 km above is called outer space
2006-11-03 16:54:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
7 miles I think
2006-11-03 16:30:26 · answer #7 · answered by nettyone2003 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
roughly 75 miles
2006-11-03 16:31:26 · answer #8 · answered by ixthus 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm not sure but definitely above the clouds. usually you can tell when the atmosphere starts to fade and if your not wearing protective gear and an oxygen tank, you stop breathing and get really cold and no matter what you wear you start floating
2006-11-03 16:31:08 · answer #9 · answered by Parvati 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi. Space starts at 100 km. : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceShipOne
2006-11-03 16:32:14 · answer #10 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋