Question

The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth about 400 km above the surface of Earth (NASA.gov). Using the concepts of circular motion and gravitational forces learned in this module, explain the following in your own words:

Why does the space station not fall down?
Why do the astronauts float inside the space station?

Answer 1

The space station is falling, but its fast horizontal velocity ensures that the space station misses the earth every time. The astronauts float inside the space station because they are in a constant state of free fall.