SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -Gravity is a force of attraction between masses. It provides the centripetal force needed to keep a satellite in orbit around a planet, or a planet in orbit around a star such as the Sun.

Detailed explanation-2: -Objects inside an orbiting satellite appear to be weightless because they, and the satellite, are falling at the same rate (approximately 9.80 ms-2).

Detailed explanation-3: -In orbit, there is only the gravitational force-leading to that feeling of weightlessness. Actually, you don’t even need to be in orbit to feel weightless. You can be weightless by having the gravitational force as the only thing acting on you.

Detailed explanation-4: -As a satellite moves around the Earth in a circular orbit, the direction of the force of gravity is always towards the centre of the Earth. However, if the satellite is given speed in any direction horizontal to the surface of the Earth, it will travel further before it hits the Earth.

Detailed explanation-5: -Gravity-combined with the satellite’s momentum from its launch into space-cause the satellite to go into orbit above Earth, instead of falling back down to the ground.