Explained Simply
Orbit is the path an object follows when it keeps falling around a planet instead of crashing into it.
An orbit happens when an object moves forward fast enough while gravity keeps pulling it inward. The result is a continuous curved path around a planet or moon.
Imagine throwing a ball. If you throw it gently, it falls to the ground. If you could throw it fast enough and Earth kept curving away beneath it, the ball would keep falling around Earth. That is the basic idea of orbit.
Why orbit matters
- Satellites in orbit help with weather, maps, and communication.
- The International Space Station stays in orbit around Earth.
- Different orbits are useful for different jobs.
Watch & Learn
Did You Know?
Astronauts feel weightless in orbit because they are constantly falling with their spacecraft.