IM JUST WONDERING
2007-09-08 13:25:51 · 4 answers · asked by Joel 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Because the shuttle is in orbit and is falling toward the earth in freefall and everything is falling at the same rate. It also happens to be moving forward at just the rate that the earth is curved and getting out of the way, so it falls all the way around. Another way of saying it is that the force of gravity at that altitude is exactly balancing the force needed to make the speeding object change velocity in a constant curve.
2007-09-08 13:33:48 · answer #1 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
astronauts and cosmonauts are weightless in space because the space station/shuttle is in free fall around the earth, but it's orbital (forward) speed is exactly the same as the speed that it's falling at, which keeps it in orbit. as a result the astronauts are always weightless while in space.
2007-09-08 14:25:45 · answer #2 · answered by mcdonaldcj 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shuttle is in free fall in a gravitational field, if you try to use a set of scales to weigh yourself in free fall, you will find it impossible to do.
2007-09-11 10:37:55 · answer #3 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's in a state of continuous
free-fall.
2007-09-08 13:36:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋