2006-06-27 09:29:58 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No. I think it can be generalized that humans judge motion in two ways. First, a physical reaction; feeling a car on the road, or wind in your face. Second, a visual reference; such as trees buzzing past or a familiar landmark getting closer.
Since there is no "atmosphere" to speak of in orbit (at least not what we'd consider an atmosphere anyway), there is nothing physical to oppose his motion. Therefore, from his perspective, he is just sitting there. Also, since the shuttle that he's tethered to is also moving at the same speed, it doesn't appear to move either (unless of course the astronaut is moving toward, away from, or parallel to the ship somehow). Regardless, with no frame of reference, there is no sensation of motion.
Well, what about the Earth? Surely that is a frame of reference. Well, yes and no. Sure, one could look at the rotating Earth below them and get some sense of how fast they were moving. However, anyone who has taken a road trip and has been driving towards a mountain range (i.e. driving across Nebraska towards the Rockies) knows that something that far away and that large can fool the senses into believing that you've stopped. Therefore, I would (and this is an opinion) discount the Earth as a frame of reference.
2006-06-27 09:41:32 · answer #1 · answered by Mr__Roarke 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. It's not like driving a car at 60MPH and sticking your arm out a window. The astronaut would feel nothing . His only reference point to possibly gauge his momentum would be to look down at Earth as he and the space shuttle circle it.
2006-06-28 11:14:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An astronaut can feel the acceleration, the G's.
Can you feel yourself going 500mph when your flying in a commercial airliner? No, because you are also moving at 500mph and they kind of cancel each out, so you feel only minimal effects.
2006-06-27 10:07:12 · answer #3 · answered by trancevanbuuren 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does a person standing on the equator feel like he's traveling 1.038 m.p.h.?
No. Speed is relative.
2006-06-27 09:47:14 · answer #4 · answered by waitin4payday 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends, is he inside or outside?
Well, the answer is still no in both cases, as long as the altitude is less than 300 km.
2006-06-27 09:32:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no because he is in free fall with the suttle. Weightless, so there is not feeling of speed.
2006-06-27 12:53:41 · answer #6 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are traveling around the sun at more than 64,000 mph. can you feel that?
2006-06-27 13:24:26 · answer #7 · answered by brooks163 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no because there is nothing to compare the speed of the spacecraft with.
2006-06-27 16:13:03 · answer #8 · answered by hkyboy96 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope , their velocity is the same.
2006-06-27 11:47:27 · answer #9 · answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, since there is no atmoshere.
2006-06-27 13:42:31 · answer #10 · answered by Eric X 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋