five minutes to eleven
asked Michel Ardan , `` do you mean to say that we are already beyond the terrestrial atmosphere ? '' `` Without the slightest doubt , Michel . Listen to me . It now wants but five minutes to eleven . It is already eight minutes since we started . Now , if our initial velocity has not been diminished by friction , six seconds would be enough for us to pass the sixteen leagues of atmosphere which surround our spheroid . '' `` Just so , '' answered Nicholl ; `` but in what proportion do you reckon the diminution of speed by friction ? ''