We already are, traveling the universe at an incredible speed. Mothership Earth orbits the Sun at an average speed of 67,000 mph, or 18.5 miles a second. The Sun, Earth, and the entire solar system also are in motion, orbiting the center of the Milky Way at a blazing 140 miles a second. Along with our cousins in the Local Group of galaxies, we are hurtling at a truly astonishing 375 miles a second toward the Virgo Cluster, an enormous collection of galaxies some 45 million light-years away. On a grand scale, Earth’s speed through the universe is of course insignificant.