True speed

[grooble]

If our earth was moving through the solar system at 1000mph and we sent a ship out in front of us that in relation to the earth was going 200mph, would the ships actual speed be 1200mph?<br /><br />Doesn't the earths orbit around the sun already give all our ships and probes a high starting speed when they are launched?<br /><br />

 

[najab]

><i>Doesn't the earths orbit around the sun already give all our ships and probes a high starting speed when they are launched? </i><p>Relative to the Sun, yes - about 30km/sec.</p>

 

[le3119]

The ship's velocity relative to the Earth's would be 200 mph. Better make sure ship is far out, but not in the Moon's path, at 384,000 km.