what is the fastest speed people can go while travelling through space with current technology?
2006-11-21 06:46:37 · 7 answers · asked by Noah K 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
As you're probably aware, there is no limit to how fast an object can travel in space, since there is no drag force. However, we are limited to a maximum speed by the amount of resources on the planet to fuel a vehicle using current technology. I'm just not sure how fast that would be.
The most promising technology is a nuclear reactor of sorts. As the material decays, particles are ejected from the vehicle. By Newton's Second Law of motion, the force of the particle leaving in one direction is applied to the craft in the opposite direction, causing a small acceleration. It takes YEARS for this propulsion to build up to a speed of 100,000+ mph.
This answer is probably worthless to you, but I hope it helps direct your research elsewhere. You may also want to look into solar sails as a means of propulsion.
2006-11-21 06:53:11 · answer #1 · answered by Duluth06ChE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have seen blue prints of a space ship that will go 1/6 th the speed of light with current technology. It has a scoop on the front of it that gathers hydrogen atoms from outer space as it travels. The scoop is miles across, but very thin. There is no resistance to challenge it. Thats 31000 miles per second = 111600000 miles per hour. Whether or not it has effects on humans when they travel that fast is another thing.
2006-11-21 07:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Duluth...There is a limit to how fast you can travel...it's called the speed of light. Newton and Einstein have determined that this is the fastest anything could ever travel. There is also solar wind among other things which would cause friction that would put a limit on your limitless speed theory.
2006-11-21 09:23:47 · answer #3 · answered by NoMercy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using current technology and gravitational forces of planets along with controlled burns it might be possible to reach light speed or better.
2006-11-21 18:51:04 · answer #4 · answered by Ralph T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Space Shuttle = 17,000 Mph.
New Horizons Probe to Jupiter = 46,800 Mph
Voyager 1 = 62,640 Mph
The last two listings did not carry human beings.
2006-11-21 07:12:29 · answer #5 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
velocity is relative. how briskly you're shifting relies upon on what you regard as your reference. So what's YOUR reference? Earth? The sunlight? something else? i think of if everybody exchange into keen to spend the money ($billions) doing it, they could sent a guy out of the photograph voltaic equipment with an extra velocity of 10 km/sec. If somebody could spend one thousand billion funds attempting to develop that velocity, they could be waiting to get the 1st interstellar emissary going at a hundred km/sec above the photograph voltaic get away velocity.
2016-10-22 12:11:52 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well an unmanned ship is going about 100,000mph right now I believe. Pioneer 11
2006-11-21 06:48:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋