When asked why the objects, as well as the astronauts themselves, are in zero gravity while in orbit, one can often hear incorrect answers. In reality, gravity is present in space, because thanks to it, planets are held.

Without the action of gravitational forces, galaxies could simply scatter in all directions. In fact, weightlessness arises due to the presence of speed.

The fall "near the Earth"

In fact, astronauts, as well as other objects that are in Earth orbit, fall. However, this fall does not occur in the usual sense (to the Earth, with orbital speed), but as it were around the Earth.

At the same time, their movement should be at least seventeen and a half miles per hour. When accelerating relative to the Earth, gravity here transfers the trajectory of motion, directing it downward, so astronauts during the flight will never be able to overcome the minimum approach to the Earth. And due to the fact that the acceleration of astronauts is equal to the acceleration of a space station, they are in a state of zero gravity.

Earth zero gravity analogs

Short-term weightlessness can be experienced while being above the Earth. This can be felt at the time of the fall. This phenomenon can be compared by riding on a roller coaster at the moment when the cart drops sharply after reaching the highest point.The same thing happens, for example, when the elevator falls, in which the cable broke.

If an elevator falls from a height of, for example, a hundredth floor, then, being inside, a person would also feel weightlessness, similar to that in which astronauts are in orbit of the Earth. In addition, a short-term state of zero gravity can be experienced on NASA's airplane. This device is designed specifically for training astronauts and their body getting used to this state of soaring.