Why astronauts float despite gravity being 90% as strong as Earth's
In short: The idea of "zero gravity" in space is a common misconception. This video explains why astronauts actually experience microgravity and how they remain in a constant state of falling without ever hitting the ground.
At the altitude of the International Space Station, gravity remains about 90% as strong as it is on the surface. Astronauts float because they are in a state of perpetual freefall. To visualize this, imagine an elevator with a broken cable; if the elevator and its occupants fall at the same rate, they would appear weightless inside.
The station maintains its orbit by traveling at approximately 17,500 mph (28,000 km/h). This speed is fast enough that as the ISS falls toward Earth, the planet's surface curves away beneath it, creating an orbit. This environment causes physical challenges like muscle and bone density loss, and even results in time dilation, where astronauts age slightly slower than those on Earth.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: If Gravity in Space Is 90% as Strong as on Earth, Why Do Astronauts Float?
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