Explain how an object can orbit a planet & why astronauts float around in the orbiting space shuttle

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An object can orbit a planet when its velocity is just right for its distance from the planet. This is achieved through a delicate balance between the object's forward motion and the planet's gravitational pull.

To explain this further, let's consider the example of a satellite orbiting Earth. When a satellite is launched into space, it is given an initial velocity. However, due to Earth's gravitational pull, the satellite starts falling toward the planet. But because of its initial forward velocity, it doesn't crash into Earth. Instead, it continuously falls towards Earth while also moving forward, resulting in a curved path called an orbit.

The reason why astronauts inside an orbiting space shuttle float around is because they are in a state of freefall. When a satellite or space shuttle orbits a planet, it is essentially constantly falling towards the planet but also moving forward fast enough to never hit the surface. This continuous freefall creates a sensation of weightlessness, also known as microgravity. The astronauts inside the orbiting space shuttle experience this microgravity because they, along with the shuttle, are falling at the same rate due to Earth's gravity.

In summary, objects can orbit a planet by achieving the right velocity to balance their forward motion and the planet's gravitational pull. Astronauts float around in an orbiting space shuttle because they are in a constant state of freefall, experiencing microgravity due to the combination of their falling motion and the planet's gravity.