How Long Does It Take To Get To Space?

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Menu Home > Resources > FAQ > Spaceflight > Time to Space How long does it take to get to space?

Short answer: A few minutes.

Long answer: The semi-official "start of space" is 100 km above sea level. This is called the Kármán line. Most rockets get to this point within a few minutes of launch, but it takes longer to reach their final orbit (or other destination). The exact timing depends on the rocket and other factors. Here are a couple of examples:

  • Space Shuttle: Kármán line in 2½ minutes, orbit in 8½ minutes.
  • SpaceX Falcon Heavy: Kármán line in 3½ minutes.

Notes:

  • It can take anywhere from 6 hours to 3 days to get to the International Space Station, depending on the spacecraft and mission profile.
  • It took the Apollo astronauts about three days to get to the Moon. Although the Moon is much farther away than the ISS, the Apollo spacecraft travelled more directly and quickly.
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