Question

If there is gravity where the International Space Station (ISS) is located above Earth, why doesn’t the space station get pulled back down to Earth?

Answer 1

The ISS and its inhabitants are in a continuous free fall around Earth, which results in a sensation of weightlessness, even though gravity is still acting on them.

Step-by-step explanation:

The International Space Station (ISS) is indeed subject to Earth's gravity, with astronauts experiencing about 90% of the gravitational force they would feel on the surface of the planet. However, both the ISS and its inhabitants are in a state of continuous free fall as they orbit Earth, which creates the sensation of weightlessness. This condition mimics a zero-gravity environment because everything inside the ISS, including astronauts, water, and tools, is falling at the same rate due to Earth's gravitational pull. The space station and everything inside move together, making it appear as if no gravitational forces are acting upon them. This is similar to the experience of being inside an elevator in free fall, where passengers would feel weightless despite the presence of gravity.

Answer 2

Yes. Gravity is 90% of what it is on the earth's surface. ISS moves at such high speeds that the curve of its fall will always match the curve of the earth and so will never hit the earth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The location of the International Space Station (ISS) is at an altitude of about 200 or 250 miles above the earth's surface. Since gravity decreases with altitude, it is less at that height. Gravity is still present there. Since the ISS is in orbit around the earth, the condition is of free fall. Result of this free fall is apparent weightlessness. The high speed of the ISS allows it to orbit around in such a way that the gravitational pull of the earth is equal to the centripetal force experienced by the ISS in its orbit.

The conditions which make it remain in space are similar to how the moon stays in the orbit around the earth. Moon is also in free fall but it never falls down to earth.