gravity....
The space shuttle is traveling at a speed such that its fall to earth matches the curvature of the earth. As a result, it is "falling" to the earth at the same rate that the earth's surface is rotating away, so it stays in orbit.
A very low level, called microgravity, that's a small fraction of normal gravity. Astronauts feel weightless, by comparison. Space shuttles orbit at a distance of 100-200 miles above the Earth. The shuttle is actually falling toward the Earth all the time, but the speed of its orbit keeps it from falling any closer. Don't confuse gravity with weight. The Earth's gravity extends to the outer reaches of the Solar System. Earth's gravity is what keeps the satellites which are orbiting the Earth from flying away into space. "Weight" is measure of the local acceleration due to gravity. When a person is in orbit, inside a shuttle, he is falling along with the shuttle at about 17,000 miles per hour. The mass of the shuttle and the mass of the person are attracting each other with 'micro-gravity' which is a million times less than the gravity of the Earth.
The amount of gravitational force acting on the space shuttle in orbit is still significant, approximately 90% of the force experienced on the surface of the Earth. This force is what keeps the shuttle and astronauts in orbit around the Earth, counteracting the centripetal force that tries to pull them away.
Space shuttle astronauts in orbit do not hit their heads on the ceiling because they are in a state of free fall, experiencing microgravity. In this condition, both the astronauts and the shuttle are falling towards Earth at the same rate, creating the sensation of weightlessness. As a result, they float inside the shuttle and are not subject to the forces that would normally cause them to collide with surfaces.
Space Shuttle Atlantis.
The space shuttle is traveling at a speed such that its fall to earth matches the curvature of the earth. As a result, it is "falling" to the earth at the same rate that the earth's surface is rotating away, so it stays in orbit.
A very low level, called microgravity, that's a small fraction of normal gravity. Astronauts feel weightless, by comparison. Space shuttles orbit at a distance of 100-200 miles above the Earth. The shuttle is actually falling toward the Earth all the time, but the speed of its orbit keeps it from falling any closer. Don't confuse gravity with weight. The Earth's gravity extends to the outer reaches of the Solar System. Earth's gravity is what keeps the satellites which are orbiting the Earth from flying away into space. "Weight" is measure of the local acceleration due to gravity. When a person is in orbit, inside a shuttle, he is falling along with the shuttle at about 17,000 miles per hour. The mass of the shuttle and the mass of the person are attracting each other with 'micro-gravity' which is a million times less than the gravity of the Earth.
The amount of gravitational force acting on the space shuttle in orbit is still significant, approximately 90% of the force experienced on the surface of the Earth. This force is what keeps the shuttle and astronauts in orbit around the Earth, counteracting the centripetal force that tries to pull them away.
The moon is falling, but since the Earth's gravitational pull is constantly acting on it, the moon keeps falling but it is moving towards the Earth so it move in an egg shaped motion.
There is no gravity in space but the shuttle stays in orbit because of the Earths gravity and inertia. The inertia keeps it going in a circular motion. In space the Earth's gravity is strong enough to hold something in orbit but not strong enough to pull it to Earth's surface.
The shuttle never leaves Earth orbit, it simply goes into orbit and then returns. Moving to a higher orbit requires additional speed and manuevering, as when visiting the ISS.
Gravity and Inertia keeps the earth in orbit
No. It is in low earth orbit.
Space shuttle astronauts in orbit do not hit their heads on the ceiling because they are in a state of free fall, experiencing microgravity. In this condition, both the astronauts and the shuttle are falling towards Earth at the same rate, creating the sensation of weightlessness. As a result, they float inside the shuttle and are not subject to the forces that would normally cause them to collide with surfaces.
The gravitational pull of the Sun keeps the planets in orbit without "falling." This is the same effect the Earth has on the Moon.
Sir Isaac Newton
Space Shuttle Atlantis.