Satellite in Space: Why Freely Falling?

[sarthak sharma]

Q1 Why does a satellite(or any space capsule etc) moving in a stable circular orbit around Earth behaves like a freely falling body??

Q2 Why do the astronauts in these capsules are said to be in weightless condition??

i m not much convinced with the solutions to my doubts so i would appreciate if i can get a much satisfactory answer...

 

[sarthak sharma]

@collinsmark

 

[collinsmark]

I'm interested to hear your attempted solutions.

But isn't a satellite in a stable orbit freely falling? I mean, perhaps a satellite in a stable orbit behaves like a freely falling body because it is a freely falling body?

Also, you might want to throw in something about the centripetal force somewhere along the way.

 

[haruspex]

Q1 Why does a satellite(or any space capsule etc) moving in a stable circular orbit around Earth behaves like a freely falling body??

Q2 Why do the astronauts in these capsules are said to be in weightless condition??

i m not much convinced with the solutions to my doubts so i would appreciate if i can get a much satisfactory answer...

If these are questions you've been given, you need to post your own attempts at answers.