Why does the Space Station travel at a faster speed than the Earths rotation?

Question

The Shuttle and ISS are about 220 miles above Earth traveling at about 17500 miles per hour. Why don't they stay stationary or travel at a different speed?

Answer 1

That is the only speed that results in a circular orbit at that altitude. To orbit slower, they would have to orbit higher. A higher orbit would take more fuel to reach. It would also be exposed to more radiation. The present 220 mile high orbit is just below the Van Allen radiation belts that surround the Earth.

Answer 2

regrettably we received't make gravity in the present day. The spinning, may create a centrifugal rigidity so as that in case you formed the area station like a wagon wheel then those human beings status contained in the "tire" area may be compelled "down" onto the outermost area of the wheel/tire. it truly is effectively shown contained in the action picture 2001 area odyssey... besides as an unbelievably puzzling area commute docking contained in the “hub”. do not confuse this with the action picture Armageddon. in this action picture they spin the Russian area station "peace" ... this doesn't artwork in any respect, the station is the incorrect structure, and may reason the occupants to be flung into the outward sections of the station. This action picture also shows an section commute dock, this commute dock may be ridiculous and under no circumstances plausible. In lengthy time period area shuttle, the action picture 2010 depicted the Russian area craft Leonov with a spinning crew compartment. even as this may actual artwork, the different area of the deliver may also spin, contained in the alternative route. with the intention to provide up this spin you may continually ought to burn small quantities of gasoline to counter the spin.. no longer very constructive on lengthy flights. Spinning an section station has some issues. photo voltaic panel alignment can be a lot tougher. each and each and every area of the station may have warmth/cool cycles very instantly (now and again this can be an effective ingredient, yet commonly no longer), navigation or variations in route and altitude can be a lot tougher. Angular momentum can be a better significant rigidity and larger problem. the dimensions of the area station may also should be higher then modern stations so as that the spin price should be wise.

Answer 3

Anything in orbit of the Earth closer than 26,200 miles orbits faster than the Earth rotates. Since the shuttle is only 100-200 miles up, it has to orbit very fast.

The moon on the other hand, is so far out that it can stay in orbit with only one revolution every 28 days (apx).

A geosynchronous orbit is a geocentric orbit that has the same orbital period as the sidereal rotation period of the Earth. It has a semi-major axis of 42,164 km (26,200 miles).

This is the distance of many satellites, such as for Dish Network, and they orbit in exactly one day at this distance. This is why they appear to stay in the same place in the sky, and why your satellite dish can stay pointed to the same spot.

Answer 4

Just think about it for a second. Take a rotating circle. The center point is stationary.. A point close to the center doesnt have to travel very fast to get around the center.. But the further from the center you are.. the faster something will have to move to keep up.

Answer 5

Earth's gravity is constantly trying to pull the shuttle downward. The only way the shuttle can prevent this is to move fast enough to counteract the force of gravity pulling downward.

Answer 6

It holds on gravity pull, it has to be propelled sometimes to go as fast as earth and earn some distance. The whole effect is inertia drive.

Answer 7

Even Concorde could outrun the Earth.

Answer 8

They are falling and must travel at a rate sufficient to keep them at altitude