NASA SPACE PLACE

How big are the planets and how far away are they compared to each other? See how the sizes of planets and the distances between them compare. And find out why it's so hard to create a scale model of the solar system that accurately represents both size and distance on a single screen or the page of a book.

You’ve probably seen beautiful photos of Earth and the other planets in our solar system. Those photos were often captured by spacecraft – robotic explorers doing their work far away from Earth. But how exactly do we send these spacecraft so far away? Well, it all starts with a rocket. A really, really big one. Comprehension Questions: 1. True or False: A rocket needs to get going to 17,800 MPH to thrust into Earth’s atmosphere and stay in orbit. 2. An object in space that orbits around a large object is called a ___________. 3. What is the name of the circular path that satellites follow around Earth? 4. The balance of momentum and _________ can keep a satellite in orbit for many years. Answer Key: 1. True 2. Satellite 3. Orbit 4. Gravity Learn more at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/launching... Find more fun videos, games, and articles about space and Earth science at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/