eli5: I’ve heard orbit described as continuously falling past or missing the Earth, how then do objects in geosynchronous orbit above a single point not fall out of the sky?

Question

eli5: I’ve heard orbit described as continuously falling past or missing the Earth, how then do objects in geosynchronous orbit above a single point not fall out of the sky?

In: 2204

Answer 1

Grab on to a yoyo string and spin around really fast. Notice how the yoyo stays in the same place relative to your body (outward from your arm)? Geosync orbit is the same, except instead of a string holding the yoyo from zipping off into space it is gravity. The yoyo/satellite is still moving quickly, it just happens to be far enough out that it can both be moving fast enough to ‘miss’ the earth ats it falls _and_ stay in the same place above the earth.