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The astronauts appear to be weightless as they are in a constant freefall, falling at the same speed as the space vehicle they are on. They are 'falling' but due to their angular speed, they are 'falling' around the earth, so don't crash into it. They still have their mass, but you can't really weigh the astronauts as any scales you try to use will read zero as the scales will also be 'falling' at the same rate.

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13y ago
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4mo ago

Astronauts in orbit around Earth experience microgravity, which gives the sensation of weightlessness. This occurs because they are in constant freefall towards Earth, but moving sideways fast enough that they continually miss the planet. This creates the feeling of weightlessness as they are essentially falling with the spacecraft.

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Q: Are astronaunts in orbit around earth really weightless?
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Why are astronauts floating above the Earth in a Space Shuttle really no weightless?

Astronauts in a Space Shuttle appear weightless because they are in a state of free fall towards Earth. While they are indeed under the influence of Earth's gravity, they are moving forward at a high enough speed that they continuously fall around the planet, creating the sensation of weightlessness.


Are astronauts really weightless while in orbit?

In orbit, astronauts experience a sensation of weightlessness due to the continuous free fall towards the Earth. They are not truly weightless, as gravity is still acting on them, but they are in a state of constant free fall that creates the sensation of weightlessness.


How much you weigh at the center of the earth?

At the center of the Earth, you would be weightless because the gravitational forces from the Earth's mass would be pulling equally in all directions, effectively canceling out the force of gravity acting on you.


How can you live weightless in space?

In space, you can experience weightlessness due to microgravity, which occurs when the force of gravity is significantly reduced. This can happen on spacecraft in orbit around Earth, where the spacecraft and everything inside it are falling towards the Earth at the same rate. Without the force of gravity pressing down on you, you can float and move freely in this weightless environment.


Do you weigh less on earth than in a space ship orbiting 800 kilometers above earth?

No - more on Earth - in orbit you're weightless.

Related questions

What do astronaunts eat?

astronaunts didnt eat if they were hungry they would come back down to earth and eat mcdonalds yum


Are astronauts really weightless in orbit why not?

because both the astronaut and the satellite is attracted towards the center of the earth


Why are astronauts floating above the Earth in a Space Shuttle really no weightless?

Astronauts in a Space Shuttle appear weightless because they are in a state of free fall towards Earth. While they are indeed under the influence of Earth's gravity, they are moving forward at a high enough speed that they continuously fall around the planet, creating the sensation of weightlessness.


What is a sentence for weightlessness?

The weightless astronaut landed on Mars, which has no gravity.


Are astronauts really weightless while in orbit?

In orbit, astronauts experience a sensation of weightlessness due to the continuous free fall towards the Earth. They are not truly weightless, as gravity is still acting on them, but they are in a state of constant free fall that creates the sensation of weightlessness.


Can people be weightless if so how and where?

People are weightless if in zero gravity in outer space. On earth, weightlessness can be simulated for training in a rapidly descending aeroplane.


How much you weigh at the center of the earth?

At the center of the Earth, you would be weightless because the gravitational forces from the Earth's mass would be pulling equally in all directions, effectively canceling out the force of gravity acting on you.


Why do astronauts appear to be weightless in a spacecraft orbiting earth?

Free fall


How can you live weightless in space?

In space, you can experience weightlessness due to microgravity, which occurs when the force of gravity is significantly reduced. This can happen on spacecraft in orbit around Earth, where the spacecraft and everything inside it are falling towards the Earth at the same rate. Without the force of gravity pressing down on you, you can float and move freely in this weightless environment.


Why can you be weightless?

You can be weightless when experiencing free fall, such as in an elevator dropping or skydiving, because you are in a state of apparent weightlessness due to the force of gravity acting equally on you and the objects around you, causing you to float. This sensation occurs when the acceleration from gravity counteracts the force of gravity pulling you downwards, creating a feeling of weightlessness.


Why are astronants weightless in space?

The astronaut, space ship and everything in it are all falling at the same speed (falling around the Earth is called ORBIT). If everything is falling at the same speed, they are effectively weightless. Its like falling in an elevator, if everything is falling at the same speed you will appear to be floating around the elevator. Until it reaches the basement.


Why does a body lose weight at the centre of the earth?

In the center of the Earth gravity is equal at every side causing you to be "weightless".