How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the distance to the Moon (in km). The default value is the average distance of 384,400 km.
- Select the propulsion method from the dropdown menu. Different propulsion methods have different typical speeds:
- Rocket (Chemical Propulsion): Fastest, typical speeds around 28,000 km/h
- Ion Thruster: Slower, typical speeds around 10,000 km/h
- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: Moderate speed, around 20,000 km/h
- Solar Sail: Very slow, around 5,000 km/h
- Enter the speed at which the vehicle travels (in km/h). If left blank, the calculator will use the typical speed for the selected propulsion method.
- Click the "Calculate" button to compute the time required to travel to the Moon.
- The results will show the time required, the distance to the Moon, and the speed at which the vehicle travels.
Understanding the Formula
The calculator uses the basic formula:
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
This formula calculates the time required to travel a certain distance at a specific speed. The results are displayed in hours, but you can convert to other units as needed:
- 1 hour = 60 minutes
- 1 hour = 3,600 seconds
Practical Applications
This calculator can be used to:
- Estimate travel times for hypothetical Moon missions using different propulsion technologies
- Understand the relationship between speed and travel time for space missions
- Compare the efficiency of different propulsion methods for interplanetary travel