* Orbit: If a person is outside a spacecraft in orbit around Earth, they'll be moving at the same speed as the spacecraft – usually around 17,500 miles per hour (28,000 kilometers per hour). This is the speed needed to maintain orbit around Earth.
* Spacewalk: During a spacewalk, an astronaut is tethered to the spacecraft and their speed is relative to the spacecraft. They might move slowly relative to the spacecraft, but they are still moving at orbital speed.
* Deep Space: If a person were to be ejected into deep space, they would continue moving at whatever speed they were traveling at when ejected. This could be very fast or very slow, depending on the circumstances.
Important Considerations:
* Momentum: A person outside a spacecraft would have the same momentum as the spacecraft they were ejected from. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity, so even a small person ejected from a high-speed spacecraft would have a significant amount of momentum.
* Gravity: While space is often referred to as "weightless," it is not truly free of gravity. Gravity from the Earth or other celestial bodies can affect an astronaut's movement.
* Space Suit: Astronauts wear protective space suits which provide oxygen and temperature control, but they also add to the astronaut's mass and affect their movement.
In short, the speed of a person in space depends entirely on the situation. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
