What is Acceleration?

Space Launch System Launches to the Moon NASA Acceleration relates to motion in that it is a change in motion. Only an imbalance of forces causes acceleration.

Illustration of the Space Launch System rocket lifting off from the launch pad NASA Change in velocity is acceleration. The Space Launch System will take astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color, to the Moon with the Artemis missions.

Artist concept of the SLS Block 1 configuration NASA As the SLS sits on the launch pad it is not accelerating since it is neither speeding up nor slowing down and the forces are balanced.

Illustration of the Space Launch System rocket breaking through a layer of clouds during launch with the waning gibbous moon in the background NASA As the SLS uses fuel to leave the Earth’s atmosphere on its way to the Moon, it gets faster and faster! This imbalance of forces is a great example of acceleration!

Illustration of an astronaut kneeling on the lunar surface at night sifting lunar soil through their fingers while a lunar lander and rover are visible in the background NASA Acceleration occurs in many settings. The regolith, or lunar soil, falling from this astronaut’s hand is accelerating towards the Moon because the Moon’s gravity is creating an imbalance of forces.

Illustration of an astronaut descending a lunar lander’s ladder and stepping onto the lunar surface with a lunar vehicle and roving robot in the background NASA In this artist's illustration, an astronaut briefly accelerates up and against the Moon’s gravity as she climbs up the ladder of the lunar lander for the return to Earth.

Orion Glides Through Clouds NASA When the astronauts return to Earth in the Orion Capsule, they slow from 25,000 mph to less than 22 mph to land. That change in velocity is called negative acceleration or deceleration.

What is Acceleration?

Investigating the Stops and Starts of Acceleration with NASA’s Artemis Missions

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