How do Orbits Work?

Orbital mechanics is very complicated so I will simplify it to the best of my ability. Here we go!

Any body that has mass has a gravitational field and the larger the object, the stronger the gravity. Gravity pulls objects toward the center of mass which is also commonly called the center of gravity. Take the international space station for example. The international space station was sent up in modules, some on a rocket and others on the Space Shuttle. but that's not important. The international space station was assembled in orbit and when an object, like the international space station, is orbiting a body, it is travailing so fast (17,150 miles/hour), it falls toward the planet but misses. And because the planet is a sphere, this happens approximately 16 times per day!

This is the part where I explain how to get to orbit.

So your rocket is sitting on the launch pad, your cargo, a small satellite. 3...2...1..LIFT OFF!! Your rocket explodes off the launch pad, quickly gaining speed as it ascends through the atmosphere. At 43,000 feet above sea level, you will need to throttle down as you approach something called Max Q. Max Q is the maximum aerodynamic pressure. Max Q is the point at which the crafts velocity is greater than the decreasing air density. This means that once a craft reaches max Q, the Dynamic Pressure (Opposing kinetic energy) becomes dangerous. And if your rocket isn't sturdy enough it will be torn apart.

So, assuming you made it past Max Q, your core stage (First stage) has just flamed out meaning that the stage has no more fuel in it. Your second stage separates from the first and your engine ignites, propelling you into the vastness of space.

Once you reach around 45,000 meters, burn perpendicular to the ground and bring your horizontal velocity to around 4.9 miles/second.

There are two points in your orbit, your apoapsis and your periapsis. the periapsis represents your highest point in your orbit and your apoapsis the lowest. So ya, that's about it. To recap, Orbiting is when your Horizontal speed is greater than the force of gravity pulling you down and you miss the planet.

So, any suggestions for an article? or would you just like to ask a question? Lets talk in the comments!

Thanks for reading!

-Marcus. S