• Question: Where is the edge of space?

    Asked by danniegee to James_M on 20 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: James M Monk

      James M Monk answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      There are different definitions depending on who you ask. I think NASA had one definition that was about 50 miles up – this means that their X15 rocket plane pilots could be recognised as astronauts. The common definition these days is 100 km I think, but it is kind of arbitrary (there is still a bit of atmosphere even at the 200 km altitude of the international space station).

      A weather ballon might get to 40km or so, not quite as high as the X15, but still very high.

Comments