The Moon is a fascinating celestial body that has captivated humankind for centuries. Though the Moon is only a quarter of a million miles away, the journey to its surface is a long one. In this article, we will explore how long it takes to get to the Moon.
The Moon’s Distance
The Moon is approximately 238,855 miles from Earth. While this may seem like a great distance, it is relatively close when compared to other planets in the Solar System. For instance, the closest planet to Earth, Venus, is about 67 million miles away.
Travel Time to the Moon
The journey to the Moon takes about three days. This is because the spacecraft must reach a speed of 24,500 miles per hour in order to escape Earth’s gravity. Once the spacecraft has escaped Earth’s gravity, it can coast to the Moon using the Moon’s gravitational pull.
The spacecraft will then enter into an orbit around the Moon and spend some time there, usually about one to two weeks. During this time, the spacecraft can take pictures and perform experiments.
Once the mission is complete, the spacecraft will depart from the Moon’s orbit and return to Earth. This part of the journey usually takes one to two days.
In conclusion, the journey to the Moon is a long one, taking about three days to reach and one to two days to return. Though the Moon may seem close, the spacecraft must reach a high speed in order to escape Earth’s gravity and enter into an orbit around the Moon. Once the mission is complete, the spacecraft can return to Earth.