2007-03-11 08:42:29 · 4 answers · asked by LaShawn D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Hi. Almost 1g.
2007-03-11 08:46:23 · answer #1 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The force of gravity is proportional to the masses involved, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the centres of gravity of the two objects. Because the mass of the earth is so huge compared with objects in our lives, the small difference in the gravitational force caused by this difference is ignored. We call this force we experience standing on the earth 1 g, and is a force strong enough to accelerate an object at approximately 9.8 M per second per second. The shuttle has a slightly smaller gravitational force acting on it because it is a tiny bit further away from the Center of gravity of earth. Many people confuse the weightlessness of orbit with an absence of gravity. Not so. Objects in orbit are in free-fall. The velocity of the shuttle perpendicular to the earth is such that the shuttle maintains a constant distance from the earths center of gravity as it falls, tracing out its circular orbit.
2007-03-11 16:15:52 · answer #2 · answered by ocean4ever223 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming a maximum altitude of 325 km for the shuttle --
The gravitational attraction between the shuttle and Earth will be about 1.778^13 Newtons
2007-03-11 16:12:15 · answer #3 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...about 90% of the gravitational force that acts on it when it's on the ground.
2007-03-11 16:59:54 · answer #4 · answered by kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋