Unlocking the Mystery of Space and Orbit

🚀To reach orbit, you need to achieve orbital velocity by going sideways really fast, not just upwards.

🌎Gravity is still present in space and determines the trajectory of your orbit around a celestial body.

🛰️Orbits can be elliptical, and changing velocity at specific points modifies the shape and altitude of your orbit.

💥Sub-orbital rides experience weightlessness, but they follow a trajectory that intersects with the Earth's surface.

🔥The Karman line, set at 100 kilometers, is often considered the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and space.

Why don't sub-orbital rides stay in space?

—Sub-orbital rides don't achieve the required velocity to maintain an orbit around the Earth, causing them to return to the surface.

Is there gravity in space?

—Yes, gravity is present in space, but its influence decreases as you move farther from a celestial body.

What is the difference between apogee and perigee?

—Apogee refers to the highest point of an orbit, while perigee refers to the lowest point.

Can you change your orbit while in space?

—Yes, you can change your orbit by adjusting your velocity at specific points in the orbit.

Why is the Karman line set at 100 kilometers?

—The Karman line is set at 100 kilometers because it represents the altitude where vehicles must maintain a certain velocity to generate enough lift to overcome gravity.

00:00Imagine being strapped into a rocket, watching as the Earth shrinks below you. But what exactly separates space from orbit?

02:10Spacecraft like Blue Origin's New Shepard reach the edge of space but don't reach orbit because achieving orbit requires maintaining orbital velocity.

07:51Sub-orbital rides offer moments of weightlessness, but their trajectory intersects with the Earth's surface, causing them to return.

09:43The Karman line, set at 100 kilometers, is often considered the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and space.

12:17To enter and maintain an orbit, you need to change your velocity at specific points to raise or lower your perigee, the lowest point of your orbit.