What fundamental concept defines an orbit around the Earth?

Answer

A continuous state of falling around the Earth

Fundamentally, an orbit is not a state where gravity is overcome or ignored; rather, it is a precise state of continuous falling. This occurs because the satellite possesses immense forward (tangential) velocity. This horizontal momentum carries it so far forward during the time it takes gravity to pull it downward a certain distance that it constantly misses the Earth's surface. If this velocity were insufficient relative to the altitude, gravity would win the tug-of-war, causing the object to descend into denser atmosphere and eventually impact the surface. Therefore, the orbit is a dynamic balance between the force of Earth’s gravity and the object’s horizontal speed.

What fundamental concept defines an orbit around the Earth?

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