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Why don't satellites in orbit fall to the ground? Why don't the fly off into space?

User Lekhnath
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The same reason the Moon doesn't. The Earth's gravity pulls on the satellites which prevents them from flying off into space. Because of the gravitational pull they orbit the Earth, like how we orbit the Sun with the Sun's gravity pulling us towards it.
User GeorgDangl
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4 votes
they don't fall to the ground because their speed keeps them in orbit, ~18,000 mph

hope that helps
User Falconcreek
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