How are astronauts time travellers?
We take a look at how astronauts experience time compared to us on Earth
On the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts are experiencing time more slowly than us on Earth. Image Credit: NASA
Asked by Theo Brown
Due to Einstein’s theory of special relativity, astronauts orbiting our planet, namely those on the International Space Station (ISS), experience time more slowly than us on Earth.
It’s true that at the speed these astronauts travel, which is roughly 27,600 kilometres (17,150 miles) per hour, the effect is actually quite small but by ramping up the velocity, this effect means that we might be able to travel thousands of years into the future. However, until we can actually find a vessel and counteract the effects that travelling at high speeds would have on our bodies, this is merely science fiction.
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