How do satellites stay in orbit? Free fall or centripetal?

AI Thread Summary
Satellites remain in orbit primarily due to the force of gravity, which provides the necessary centripetal acceleration to keep them moving in a curved path around the Earth. While free fall describes the state of a satellite as it moves, it is not the force that maintains the orbit; rather, it is the balance between the satellite's velocity and gravitational pull that allows it to continuously fall towards Earth without actually hitting it. Inertia plays a role as well, as the satellite's speed resists the gravitational pull, preventing it from spiraling downwards. The discussion also highlights that if a satellite's orbit is too low, it will eventually re-enter the atmosphere and burn up. Understanding these principles clarifies the mechanics of orbital motion and the factors affecting satellite longevity.
  • #51
How is a state of rest to be defined within a gravitational field?

Satellites are always at rest relative to themselves and are only in motion relative to other satellites and/or the fulcrum of orbit.

If they are in a circular orbit, how is their motion relative to the fulcrum to be described if the fulcrum is conceived as a point without a surface?

The simple answer is that a certain amount of energy is required to counteract the attractive force of gravity. This energy is expressed perpendicular to the line between the satellite and the orbital fulcrum.

When the energy of orbit is balanced against the force of gravity, constant distance is sustained between satellite and fulcrum. When it becomes unbalanced, the distance between satellite and fulcrum increases or decreases, along with the momentum of the satellite.

But how can momentum be described as changing in the context of the satellite's relationship with itself? It may accelerate or decelerate relative to a third object other than itself and the fulcrum, but without that third object, it can only move closer or farther from the fulcrum, with its energy being expressed as resistance to gravitational pull, correct?
 
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