2007-07-16 01:15:39 · 9 answers · asked by zonaith 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Depends entirely on what you meant:
If you meant "unmanned spaceflight" [link 1]
it was the two Helios vehicles launched to study the Sun during the 1970s. Both of these probes attained maximum speeds of around 150,000 mph (250,000 km/h) at closest approach to the Sun in their highly elliptical orbits. Helios 2 was slightly faster than its twin craft, and this probe still holds the speed record as not only the fastest spacecraft but also the fastest manmade object in history. (For comparison to atmospheric flight, that would be Mach 210)
If you meant "manned spaceflight" the Saturn IX velocity before reentry is reported as 11km/s. Shuttle reentry starts at minimal orbital velocity, ~Mach 25; 8.3 km/s. [link 2]
If you meant "unmanned suborbital spaceflight" then probably the boost (launch) phase of ICBMs (7 km/s; Mach 21). This is much faster than the launch velocity of deep-space probes, because they use slingshotting.
Slower than that were the unmanned X-43A scramjet test flights that NASA trialed 2004-2006 (Mach 8-10?, theoretically could go up to 15). But superatmospheric designs could go much faster outside the atmosphere.
Unpowered solar sailers are possible which would slowly accelerate to high speeds, a fraction of c.
These would be the highest speed by an unpowered craft.
Solar sailers have been successfully designed and launched in 2004,5,6 but have never properly deployed [link 3]
2007-07-16 01:20:56 · answer #1 · answered by smci 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The fastest speed was the escape velocity reached by the Apollo space craft . Escape velocity is over 7 miles per sec
2007-07-16 09:58:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apollo 13 was the fasted manned spaceship. It hit about 26,000 mph. It went a little faster than the other Apollos because it just swung around the moon and came home instead of orbiting it.
2007-07-16 12:26:39 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming you are referring to the fastest a manned vehicle has ever gone, the crew of Apollo 10 became the fastest humans alive on their return from the Moon in 1969, reaching 24,791 mph just before re-entry.
Unmanned probes have travelled much faster than that, however.
2007-07-16 08:22:58 · answer #4 · answered by Jason T 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Speed is measured in comparison to a stationary object. Considering all obects move in comparison to one another there is no such thing as a stationary object.
Most of the answers have presupposed that the earth is a stationary object by which we compare speeds, the truth being that we all move in an incredible speed in comparison to our relation with the sun and so forth.
The only noticible affect of speed is acceleration of which all astronauts have experienced on take-off.
As to the speed of re-entry as with all things it is relative as to what exactly you compare it to...
2007-07-16 08:46:53 · answer #5 · answered by Bonbu 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well we are tavelling around the Sun at more than 66,000 mph thats fast isn't it! Or more than 100 km/sec around the center of our galaxy, thats really fast!
It all depends on your frame of reference! Whether its the Earth, Sun or the center of the galaxy or any other point!
2007-07-16 11:26:28 · answer #6 · answered by Lalu5 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
70,220 m/s or 252,792 Km/H Speed of the Helios 2 solar probe—Fastest man-made object.
11,082 m/s or 39,895 Km/H Speed of Apollo 10—High speed record for manned vehicle.
Best Regards.
2007-07-16 08:32:28 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 5⤋
mach 5???
2007-07-16 08:18:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
hump de bump
2007-07-16 08:43:12 · answer #9 · answered by kristen 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋