The following is a list of speed records for various types of
vehicle
A vehicle (from la, vehiculum) is a machine that transports people or cargo. Vehicles include wagons, bicycles, motor vehicles (motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, mobility scooters for disabled people), railed vehicles (trains, trams), wa ...
s. This list only presents the single greatest speed achieved in each broad record category; for more information on records under variations of test conditions, see the specific article for each record category. As with many
world record
A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity. The book ''Guinness World Records'' and other world records organization ...
s, there may be some dispute over the criteria for a record-setting event, the authority of the organization certifying the record, and the actual speed achieved.
Land vehicles
By type of vehicle
By surface
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_Rail_vehicles
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_Rail_vehicles
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Rail vehicles
thumb">upright=.75.html" ;"title="image:Rocket sled track.jpg">thumb">upright=.75">Lt. Col. John P. Stapp rides the rocket sled at Edwards Air Force Base
Aircraft
Aircraft speed records are based on airspeed, rather than ground speed.
Noted unofficial records
Watercraft
upright=.75, Model of '' '', which set the water speed record in 1978">Spirit of Australia'', which set the water speed record in 1978
upright=.75, '' '', the world's fastest human-powered watercraft">Decavitator'', the world's fastest human-powered watercraft
Spacecraft
In order to unambiguously express the speed of a spacecraft, a
frame of reference
In physics and astronomy, a frame of reference (or reference frame) is an abstract coordinate system whose origin, orientation, and scale are specified by a set of reference points― geometric points whose position is identified both mathema ...
must be specified. Typically, this frame is fixed to the body with the greatest
gravitational influence on the spacecraft, as this is the most relevant frame for most purposes.
Velocities in different frames of reference are not directly comparable; thus the matter of the "fastest spacecraft" depends on the reference frame used.
Because of the influence of gravity, maximum velocities are usually attained when a spacecraft is close to its primary body, either just after launch, during the early stages of
atmospheric entry
Atmospheric entry is the movement of an object from outer space into and through the gases of an atmosphere of a planet, dwarf planet, or natural satellite. There are two main types of atmospheric entry: ''uncontrolled entry'', such as the ent ...
, or at a point of closest approach (
periapsis
An apsis (; ) is the farthest or nearest point in the orbit of a planetary body about its primary (astronomy), primary body. For example, the apsides of the Earth are called the aphelion and perihelion.
General description
There are two ...
).
See also
*
Orders of magnitude (speed) To help compare different orders of magnitude, the following list describes various speed levels between approximately 2.2 m/s and 3.0 m/s (the speed of light). Values in bold are exact.
List of orders of magnitude for speed
See also
* ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vehicle speed records
Vehicle speed
World records
Vehicles