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Why do astronauts float around in the shuttle instead of falling?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
They are falling !
As you see them on TV floating around in the shuttle (or outside it), they are falling towards the earth. So is the shuttle, at exactly the same acceleration, which is why they seem to hover in mid-air; they are moving exactly in time with the shuttle.
In fact, shuttle and astronauts are both moving; pretty fast, too, around 18,000 mph. And that is the big secret as to why they don't crash to earth. They are falling towards the earth's surface, but the surface of the earth is curved. Because they are travelling around the earth, it's surface is receding from them, and it just happens to be moving away at the same rate as the shuttle (and contents) are falling towards it.
This is called an orbit, and it doesn't really "just happen"; the engineers who program the launch vehicle take some trouble to get the final velocity just right to achieve the orbit that they want.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Astronauts float inside the shuttle because they are in a state of continuous free fall around Earth. This creates the sensation of weightlessness and causes everything inside the shuttle to float, including the astronauts themselves. It's similar to how objects float in water because of buoyancy.
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As the space shuttle orbits the Earth the shuttle and the astronauts accelerate towards the Earth with the same acceleration What effect does this create?
This is known as free fall or microgravity. In this state, astronauts and objects inside the shuttle experience a sensation of weightlessness because they are falling at the same rate as the shuttle around the Earth, creating the illusion of being in a state of weightlessness.
How many Gs do astronauts experience during space shuttle launch?
Around 4
What speed does the space shuttle have to reach to escape earths gravity?
17,500 miles per hour puts the shuttle in orbit. BUT the gravity is still there. I'm fact there is about 90% of the gravity while the shuttle is on the ground. That great rate of speed is required to keep the shuttle from falling back to earth. At that speed the shuttle is basically falling around the planet.
Does gravity effect astronauts in space shuttle?
Yes, gravity still affects astronauts inside a space shuttle because the shuttle and everything inside it are in orbit around the Earth, so they experience microgravity. However, the sensation of weightlessness occurs because the shuttle is in freefall towards Earth at the same rate as the astronauts, creating the feeling of weightlessness.
How do astronauts get into space?
Astronauts reach space by launching in a spacecraft, such as a rocket or space shuttle, that is designed to overcome Earth's gravity. Once in space, the spacecraft continues its journey to enter orbit around the Earth or travel to other celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars.
Are astronauts in space shuttle in free fall?
It's called micro gravity but basically yes. They are just falling around the planet.
Are astronauts weightless during the Shuttle's launch?
Noop. In fact, as the Shuttle is accelerating, the astronauts are experiencing not only the pull of gravity, but also the acceleration of the rocket. For the comfort of the crew, they try to keep the excess gravity to about 4 G, basically 4 times the pull of gravity. Only after the engines have stopped, and the shuttle is no longer accelerating, will the astronauts feel weightless, as the Shuttle and astronauts are all falling around the Earth at the same speed.
As the space shuttle orbits the Earth the shuttle and the astronauts accelerate towards the Earth with the same acceleration What effect does this create?
This is known as free fall or microgravity. In this state, astronauts and objects inside the shuttle experience a sensation of weightlessness because they are falling at the same rate as the shuttle around the Earth, creating the illusion of being in a state of weightlessness.
How many Gs do astronauts experience during space shuttle launch?
Around 4
Why do astronauts in orbit feel weightlessness?
they are falling through space around earth
Can you fly while you are in a space shuttle in space?
You may have seen photos or videos of astronauts who appear to be floating through the air while in space. They aren't flying, nor are they really floating, they are falling. Any orbiting spacecraft (such as the space shuttle or international space station) is actually falling around the Earth in a circular pattern. They have achieved enough speed (over 17,000 mph) to continue moving around the Earth without the Earth's gravity pulling the spacecraft down. Astronauts aboard those spacecraft are moving inside the spacecraft and falling along with them at the same speed giving the appearance that they flying or floating inside.
What speed does the space shuttle have to reach to escape earths gravity?
17,500 miles per hour puts the shuttle in orbit. BUT the gravity is still there. I'm fact there is about 90% of the gravity while the shuttle is on the ground. That great rate of speed is required to keep the shuttle from falling back to earth. At that speed the shuttle is basically falling around the planet.
Does gravity effect astronauts in space shuttle?
Yes, gravity still affects astronauts inside a space shuttle because the shuttle and everything inside it are in orbit around the Earth, so they experience microgravity. However, the sensation of weightlessness occurs because the shuttle is in freefall towards Earth at the same rate as the astronauts, creating the feeling of weightlessness.
Are astronaunts in orbit around earth really weightless?
Astronauts in orbit around Earth experience microgravity, which gives the sensation of weightlessness. This occurs because they are in constant freefall towards Earth, but moving sideways fast enough that they continually miss the planet. This creates the feeling of weightlessness as they are essentially falling with the spacecraft.
How do astronauts get into space?
Astronauts reach space by launching in a spacecraft, such as a rocket or space shuttle, that is designed to overcome Earth's gravity. Once in space, the spacecraft continues its journey to enter orbit around the Earth or travel to other celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars.
How can astronauts live on a space shuttle for a whole year?
By packing a lot of food, water, and fuel? And sometimes just to float around to save fuel.
Why are astronauts floating above the Earth in a Space Shuttle really no weightless?
Astronauts in a Space Shuttle appear weightless because they are in a state of free fall towards Earth. While they are indeed under the influence of Earth's gravity, they are moving forward at a high enough speed that they continuously fall around the planet, creating the sensation of weightlessness.
