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Why do astronauts float around in the shuttle instead of falling?
They are falling ! As you see them on TV floating around in the shuttle (or outside it), they are falling towards the earth. So is the shuttle, at exactly the same acceleration, which is why they seem to hover in mid-air; they are moving exactly in time with the shuttle. In fact, shuttle and astronauts are both moving; pretty fast, too, around 18,000 mph. And that is the big secret as to why they don't crash to earth. They are falling towards the earth's surface, but the surface of the earth is curved. Because they are travelling around the earth, it's surface is receding from them, and it just happens to be moving away at the same rate as the shuttle (and contents) are falling towards it. This is called an orbit, and it doesn't really "just happen"; the engineers who program the launch vehicle take some trouble to get the final velocity just right to achieve the orbit that they want.
Why are astronauts floating above the Earth in a Space Shuttle really no weightless?
Weight is an expression of the gravitational force acting on an object. When the space shuttle is in orbit around the Earth, it is held there by the Earth's gravity. Since gravity is still acting on the shuttle and the astronauts inside, they still have weight. They are described as "weightless" because an object in orbit is in a constant state of free fall.
If the shuttle travels 17500 mph why does it look like they are not moving in space walks?
Because everything (the Shuttle, the camera the astronaut) is traveling at the same speed. If you are in an airplane you and your fellow passengers are traveling at several hundred MPH but to you it looks like the things around you are standing still. Another example is as the Earth rotates, you and the surface you are standing on is moving at about 1000 MPH, but to you is looks like you're still.
Does gravity effect astronauts in space shuttle?
Yes, it affects all objects in space (and all objects have a gravity of their own, that grows with size/"weight"). The reason why people talk about "zero gravity" in the space station and shuttle is because both the shuttle and the people inside it are affected by the same amount of gravity, so relatively they are falling at the same rate. Hence people inside the shuttle will not be moving towards the edge of the shuttle due to gravity. Take a football (the shuttle) and a tennis ball (some people) and hold them at the same distance from the ground and then release them (withuot adding any force, just let go). You will see that both objects will be affected by gravity, but relatively the tennis ball and the football are moving at the same speed. Now imagine that the tennis ball was inside the football and voilá, you have the shuttle scenario. Obviously the space shuttle is not falling directly towards the earth, it is actually "falling past it" - something that scientists call "orbit".
How do astronauts eat and drink in the space shuttle?
Astronauts eat and drink in the space shuttle by using special food and drink packages that are designed to be rehydrated or warmed up using the shuttle's onboard systems. They use straws and squeeze bottles to consume liquids, and the food packages are usually pre-cooked and require minimal preparation. Utensils are also specially designed to prevent food from floating away in the microgravity environment.
Why do astronauts float around in the shuttle instead of falling?
They are falling ! As you see them on TV floating around in the shuttle (or outside it), they are falling towards the earth. So is the shuttle, at exactly the same acceleration, which is why they seem to hover in mid-air; they are moving exactly in time with the shuttle. In fact, shuttle and astronauts are both moving; pretty fast, too, around 18,000 mph. And that is the big secret as to why they don't crash to earth. They are falling towards the earth's surface, but the surface of the earth is curved. Because they are travelling around the earth, it's surface is receding from them, and it just happens to be moving away at the same rate as the shuttle (and contents) are falling towards it. This is called an orbit, and it doesn't really "just happen"; the engineers who program the launch vehicle take some trouble to get the final velocity just right to achieve the orbit that they want.
Why are astronauts floating above the Earth in a Space Shuttle really no weightless?
Weight is an expression of the gravitational force acting on an object. When the space shuttle is in orbit around the Earth, it is held there by the Earth's gravity. Since gravity is still acting on the shuttle and the astronauts inside, they still have weight. They are described as "weightless" because an object in orbit is in a constant state of free fall.
If the shuttle travels 17500 mph why does it look like they are not moving in space walks?
Because everything (the Shuttle, the camera the astronaut) is traveling at the same speed. If you are in an airplane you and your fellow passengers are traveling at several hundred MPH but to you it looks like the things around you are standing still. Another example is as the Earth rotates, you and the surface you are standing on is moving at about 1000 MPH, but to you is looks like you're still.
Can you fly while you are in a space shuttle in space?
You may have seen photos or videos of astronauts who appear to be floating through the air while in space. They aren't flying, nor are they really floating, they are falling. Any orbiting spacecraft (such as the space shuttle or international space station) is actually falling around the Earth in a circular pattern. They have achieved enough speed (over 17,000 mph) to continue moving around the Earth without the Earth's gravity pulling the spacecraft down. Astronauts aboard those spacecraft are moving inside the spacecraft and falling along with them at the same speed giving the appearance that they flying or floating inside.
Does gravity effect astronauts in space shuttle?
Yes, it affects all objects in space (and all objects have a gravity of their own, that grows with size/"weight"). The reason why people talk about "zero gravity" in the space station and shuttle is because both the shuttle and the people inside it are affected by the same amount of gravity, so relatively they are falling at the same rate. Hence people inside the shuttle will not be moving towards the edge of the shuttle due to gravity. Take a football (the shuttle) and a tennis ball (some people) and hold them at the same distance from the ground and then release them (withuot adding any force, just let go). You will see that both objects will be affected by gravity, but relatively the tennis ball and the football are moving at the same speed. Now imagine that the tennis ball was inside the football and voilá, you have the shuttle scenario. Obviously the space shuttle is not falling directly towards the earth, it is actually "falling past it" - something that scientists call "orbit".
Why did NASA bring Toys to space?
so astronauts don't get bored in space they will be active and will be moving around.
Why is it that when in a space shuttle with no gravity the people in the shuttle move with the shuttle?
The astronauts and the shuttle are in the same inertial frame of reference, and are accelerated to orbit within said frame of reference. Try dribbling a basketball when you're on a bus or train and notice that the ball doesn't go flying back, but rather you can dribble it just fine even though the train / bus is moving. Also, when the shuttle is in orbit, it's not really in a zero-g environment (although it's often called such), but rather a microgravity environment.
How do astronauts eat and drink in the space shuttle?
Astronauts eat and drink in the space shuttle by using special food and drink packages that are designed to be rehydrated or warmed up using the shuttle's onboard systems. They use straws and squeeze bottles to consume liquids, and the food packages are usually pre-cooked and require minimal preparation. Utensils are also specially designed to prevent food from floating away in the microgravity environment.
How did the astronauts that got to the moon get there if the moon is always moving around the earth?
They did it exactly the same way you shoot a duck: They aimed for the place where the moon would be when they arrived there.
What is the difference between a space shuttle and a satellite?
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavor.= Space Shuttle =Space Shuttle, officially called the Space Transportation System (STS), is a spacecraft which is a vehicle or device designed for spaceflightin other words Satellite is moving by gravitation while space shuttle by engine.
Which space shuttle started on fire while entering the atmosphere?
It is not set on fire. As the space shuttle enters the atmosphere it is moving extremely fast, more than 17,000 miles per hour. In incredible speed causes the air around it to heat up to the point that it glows.
How do astronauts move around?
Astronauts move around in microgravity using handrails, foot restraints, and Velcro straps to anchor themselves to the walls and floors of the spacecraft or space station. They can also push off surfaces and float from one location to another. Movement is carefully coordinated to prevent collisions and ensure safety in the weightless environment of space.
