Scuka1 t1_j2e37sv wrote
Reply to comment by Full_Temperature_920 in eli5: back then, before astronouts goes to space, how do we know about thing like nonexistent of oxygen & zero gravity? by zetasstra
Yes. Orbit is basically a fall that "misses" the Earth (or whatever body you're orbiting around).
Newton's Cannon is a great explanation of that.
https://i.stack.imgur.com/STNEW.jpg
If you launch an object, it will fall in a curved path. If you launch if faster, it will fall in a curved path, but with a larger radius. If you launch it REALLY fast, the radius of that curve will be such that it will go around the Earth.
That's how rockets reach orbit. They basically accelerate sideways a lot.
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