The fastest speed achieved in space by a spacecraft is 163 kilometers per second (km/s), which is equivalent to 586,800 kilometers per hour (km/h) or 364,660 miles per hour (mph). This record was set by the Parker Solar Probe on November 20, 2021, at 21:25:24 UTC.
Parker Solar Probe and its Speed
The Parker Solar Probe is designed to study the Sun's outer corona. Its elliptical orbit allows it to get incredibly close to the Sun, and as it approaches the Sun, its speed increases significantly due to the Sun's gravitational pull.
Here's a breakdown:
- Objective: To study the Sun's corona and solar wind.
- Achieved Speed: 163 km/s (364,660 mph)
- Date of Achievement: November 20, 2021
- Reason for Speed: The spacecraft accelerates as it gets closer to the Sun due to the Sun's immense gravitational force.
Why is the Parker Solar Probe so Fast?
The Parker Solar Probe's extreme speed is a result of careful planning and orbital mechanics. It uses gravity assist maneuvers from Venus to gradually adjust its orbit, bringing it closer and closer to the Sun. As it falls inward toward the Sun, it converts potential energy into kinetic energy, resulting in its record-breaking speed.
Is this the Fastest Anything Can Travel in Space?
It is important to note that this is the fastest speed achieved by a human-made object. The ultimate speed limit in the universe is the speed of light, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (or about 671 million miles per hour). Nothing that has mass can travel at the speed of light.
