/sci/ - Science & Math

So aren't we kind of screwing ourselves over by putting space shuttles and stations out in space and sending probes beyond the solar system?

For an object to be in orbit around another object, it has to be moving perpendicular to that other object at the same speed the other object pulls it in. The result is a curved path around the object. If the the object moves faster than the speed at which it's being drawn in, it spirals away from the other object. If slower, it spirals closer and closer. The two speeds have to be perfectly even for sustained orbit.

Gravitational force between two objects is dependent on their mass and distance between them. Once perfect equilibrium between the two speeds is broken, the distance between the two objects changes causing an unstoppable spiral either toward or away from each other.

Space shuttles, stations, and probes are built out of materials. They have mass. That mass is no longer part of the planet. Whenever we send something out in space, the mass of the planet falls. This causes the gravitational force between the planet and the Sun to decrease, meaning the Earth will spiral farther and farther away from the Sun.