How many miles from earth before one can float?

Answer 1

The earth's gravitational field, like that of everything else, extends an infinite distance. So, even if the earth were alone in the universe, you could never 'float'.

If you are moving around the earth fast enough, centripetal force can cancel the gravitational pull and create a zero g situation. This can be done at any altitude, but is customarily done more than 100 mi above the surface so that a continuous thrust is not required to overcome air friction.

Answer 2

You don't actually float, you fall but you never get any closer. This can be achieved at any altitude provided you can travel horizontally with respect to the Earth fast enough. Things in lower orbits must travel faster to achieve "micro gravity" than things in higher orbits.

There are about two exceptions to this.

1. If the only thing in the universe were the Earth, moon, and yourself, you could find a place between the Earth and moon for a short period of time where the force of gravity from the two on you would be fairly equal and you would technically be floating.

2. If you moved a great distance away from any other objects that had mass the force of gravity would be so weak on you that it'd be almost non-existant....but it'd be there still.

Answer 3

Any number. You can float in a regular airplane for a short time. NASA trains astronauts that way and there is a private company that will sell you a ride like that in their airplane. See the source. You are basically floating any time you are in free fall, like on one of those free fall thrill rides. It has nothing to do with distance. There is no distance from Earth where the force of gravity is zero.

Answer 4

Long long time ago, before the age of man, an equatorial region was put forth, it's name is still unknown. The legends hold that in this region, of great power it does hold, a person could stand firm within and float in space and time. No one knows exactly where this equatorial region lies, but the legends tell of it's mystic beauty on high. So find this place, if you dare, to float where restrictions are nigh.

Answer 5

By float, I assume to not be supported by something to resist the earth's gravity, and that would be any height at which you can travel at 17,500 mph without cooking yourself due to atmospheric friction. A hundred miles up is usually taken as a reasonable estimate for this.