Eli5: How do satellites stay in orbit, and don’t gravity pull them to the surface?

883 views

Eli5: How do satellites stay in orbit, and don’t gravity pull them to the surface?

In: Earth Science

11 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Orbiting an object is when you fall towards it but move sideways so fast you just keep missing. When you missed for a full circle you are in orbit. As long as your sideways momentum doesn’t decrease you’ll keep missing. Luckily high up there aren’t many things that can kill your speed.