Final answer:
Weightlessness experienced by astronauts in space occurs not from being a specific distance from Earth, but because they are in a continuous state of free fall, or orbit, where they are both moving forward and being pulled by Earth's gravity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of experiencing weightlessness in space is less about the distance from Earth and more about the state of free fall. When a spaceship travels from Earth and reaches a particular altitude, often just a few hundred kilometers above the Earth's surface, it enters a state of orbit. Orbit is a form of free fall, where the spaceship is moving forward while also being pulled by Earth's gravity, creating a continuous free-fall trajectory around the planet. Hence, astronauts aboard these spaceships, such as those on the International Space Station, feel weightless not because Earth's gravity is significantly weaker, but because they are continuously falling towards Earth without hitting it due to their orbital velocity.