The space shuttle Endeavor is launched to altitude of 500km above the surface of the earth. The shuttle travels at an average rate of 700 m/s. How long will it take for Endeavor to reach its orbit?

Answer 1

Assuming the Endevor is going straight up, it will take 714.28 seconds.

First we convert the 700m/s to km/s so we are working with the same units throughout the problem.

700m/s=0.7km/s

Now we create a problem with X.

500km=X(0.7km/s)

Simplifying and cancelling out the units gives:

500km=X(0.7km/s)

500km(s/0.7km)=X

500s/0.7=X

714.28s=X