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The speed of an Apollo spacecraft is hard to answer because there are many answers available. The best question would ask something like "What was the maximum speed?", or "what was the average speed during the translunar or transearth phase?" The problem is that the speed of spacecraft was constantly changing.
In order to break out of Earth orbit and reach the moon, an object must travel approximately 24,000 miles per hour. The Apollo spacecraft did just that. However, they didn't maintain that speed. Once they were out of orbit, they simply coasted the entire distance to the moon. Breaking out of Earth orbit does not mean breaking free from Earth's gravity though. The Earth was constantly pulling on the spacecraft, slowing it down. Eventually, the spacecraft got close enough to the moon that that moon's gravity had a stronger effect than the Earth's gravity, pulling the Apollo module forward, causing the module to speed up.
With that in mind, we can provide the speed of Apollo 8 at various events:
At translunar injection, Apollo 8 was traveling at 35, 505.41 ft/sec, or 24,208 mph.
When the spacecraft entered the moon's sphere of influence (when the action of the moon's gravity became stronger than the action of the Earth's gravity on the spacecraft), it had slowed down to 3,261 ft/sec, or 2,223 mph.
When the spacecraft reentered the Earth's atmosphere after returning from the moon, it was traveling at 36,221 ft/sec, or 24,696 mph.
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In 1972 how fast did Apollo 16 rockets travel?
The Apollo 16 mission reached a maximum speed of approximately 24,791 miles per hour during its journey to the moon.
How fast did Apollo 11 travel at on its way to the moon?
Apollo 11 traveled to the moon at an average speed of about 3,600 kilometers per hour (2,237 miles per hour) during its three-day journey.
When was Apollo 8 launched?
The Apollo 8 astronauts were the men to celebrate Christmas in Space, it was December 1967.
Why did Apollo 8 blow up?
Apollo 8 did not blow up. Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon. It returned to the Earth safely. Apollo 13 is the spacecraft that had an explosion while traveling to the moon.
When did Apollo 8 launch?
Apollo 8 launched on December 21, 1968.
In 1972 how fast did Apollo 16 rockets travel?
The Apollo 16 mission reached a maximum speed of approximately 24,791 miles per hour during its journey to the moon.
How fast did the mayflower travel?
8 knots on the good days.
Did Apollo 11 go on the first mission to the moon?
Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to ever land on the moon. Apollo 8 was the first manned mission to actually travel to the moon, but they did not land.
How fast are you going when you travel 8 miles in 18 minutes?
26.7 mph
How fast is the gumpert Apollo?
224mph
What first in space travel occurred at Christmas 1968?
24th December 1968 Apollo 8 entered orbit around the Moon.
How many minutes does it take to travel 8 miles?
It all depends on how fast you are going.
How fast can a Vought F-8 Crusader travel?
973 kts or 1120 mph
What did Apollo 8 do first?
The Apollo 8 was the first to look at the face of the earth ;)
How fast did Apollo 11 travel at on its way to the moon?
Apollo 11 traveled to the moon at an average speed of about 3,600 kilometers per hour (2,237 miles per hour) during its three-day journey.
When was Apollo 8 launched?
The Apollo 8 astronauts were the men to celebrate Christmas in Space, it was December 1967.
What missions have not reached the moon?
Apollo 13, Apollo 1, Apollo 8, Apollo 10 and maybe some other ones. But missions Apollo 8 and Apollo 10 weren't planned to go to the moon. They were just preparing for Apollo 11.
