The question of how long does it take to go to space does not have a single simple answer. The duration of the journey is determined by the destination, the specific trajectory, and the capabilities of the spacecraft itself. A trip to the International Space Station, which orbits at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers, typically takes about six hours for modern crewed vehicles. Reaching the Moon, a journey of roughly 384,000 kilometers, requires a multi-day voyage of approximately three days. Travel to the planets in our solar system involves interplanetary trajectories that can span many months or even years, while a mission to the very edge of our solar system takes decades.
Suborbital Flights: A Brief Taste of Space
For the definition of a spaceflight, the Kármán line at 100 kilometers is the standard boundary. Suborbital flights, which go to this altitude and then return to Earth, represent the shortest path to space. These journeys are characterized by a steep climb followed by a descent, creating a parabolic arc through space. The entire experience, from launch to landing, lasts only a few minutes. Passengers experience several minutes of weightlessness during the apex of the flight before re-entering the atmosphere.
Flight Duration Comparison
The table below compares the approximate durations of different types of space travel, from the fastest suborbital hops to the multi-decade journeys of interstellar probes.
Suborbital Flight (e.g., SpaceShipTwo) 10 to 15 minutes
Suborbital Flight (e.g., SpaceShipTwo)
10 to 15 minutes
Orbital Flight to ISS (Modern Crewed) 6 hours
Orbital Flight to ISS (Modern Crewed)
6 hours
Lunar Mission (e.g., Apollo) 3 days
Lunar Mission (e.g., Apollo)
3 days
Journey to Mars 6 to 9 months
Journey to Mars
6 to 9 months
Voyager Probes to Interstellar Space 35+ years
Voyager Probes to Interstellar Space
35+ years
Orbital Ascent: Reaching the International Space Station
Traveling to the International Space Station involves entering low Earth orbit, a region where gravity is still very strong but velocity creates a stable path around the planet. Modern spacecraft like SpaceX's Crew Dragon have optimized this journey significantly. The traditional method involved a two-day orbit phasing, but recent advancements allow for a direct six-hour rendezvous. This rapid approach requires precise calculations and powerful engines to match the station's speed and altitude.
Lunar Transit: The Journey to the Moon
Going to the Moon is a fundamentally different challenge than reaching low Earth orbit. The Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s established the baseline for lunar travel, utilizing a translunar injection burn to escape Earth's orbit. After leaving Earth's gravitational influence, the spacecraft coasted for most of the journey, with only minor course corrections. The return trip involved entering lunar orbit before firing engines to head back to Earth. This complex dance of celestial mechanics results in a one-way trip of roughly three days.
