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How high must one be above the Earth's surface to experience zero gravity, i.e., at what altitude could a person float around in a spacecraft without effort?

Question #50614. Asked by Arpeggionist.
Last updated Sep 02 2016.

peasypod
Answer has 3 votes
Currently Best Answer
peasypod
21 year member
3273 replies

Answer has 3 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
I'm pondering the concept of Newton's inverse-square law of universal gravitation...

(At an altitude of 200 miles, according to Newton's inverse-square law of universal gravitation, gravity is just 10% weaker than it is at the Earth's surface. "Weightlessness" and "zero gravity" describe an astronaut's sensation in orbit, but the conditions under which an astronaut floats about within a spacecraft would be better described as free fall.)

link http://ataridogdaze.com/weightless/outer-space.shtml

Response last updated by CmdrK on Sep 02 2016.
May 18 2005, 6:26 PM
SOTHC
Answer has 2 votes
SOTHC
21 year member
772 replies

Answer has 2 votes.
Less than six miles according to link https://www.quora.com/At-what-altitude-does-the-Earths-gravity-no-longer-have-an-effect-on-the-astronauts-or-the-space-shuttle which has it as between approximately 24,000 and 32,000 feet altitude.

nb updated link explains our gravity tends to zero so becomes minuscule but present nonetheless, see first diagram. (satguru)

Response last updated by satguru on Aug 31 2016.
May 19 2005, 12:37 AM
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