The discussion revolves around the concept of weightlessness experienced by astronauts in space, particularly focusing on why astronauts outside a spaceship are not pulled by Earth's gravity. Participants explore the relationship between gravity, orbital motion, and the conditions that lead to the sensation of weightlessness.
Participants generally agree that gravity acts on astronauts both inside and outside the spaceship, but there is no consensus on the implications of this for their motion and the experience of weightlessness. Multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of orbital motion and the conditions necessary for maintaining orbit.
Some statements reflect misunderstandings of the concepts involved, and there are unresolved questions about the mechanics of orbital velocity and the effects of gravity on astronauts outside the spaceship.
This discussion may be of interest to individuals curious about the physics of space travel, the nature of gravity, and the experience of weightlessness in orbit.
jbriggs444 said:I responded because you had made a confusing and incorrect statement equating "stable" with "circular".
Fair enough. With that understanding, I can withdraw my quibble.mic* said:I did not equate stable with circular. I provided the formula for a stable circular orbit without explicitly stating that it was a simplification only applicable to circular orbits.