Science
How do orbits work?
An orbit is the result of an object constantly falling toward another due to gravity, while moving sideways fast enough that it keeps missing. The Moon, satellites, and planets are all 'falling' around a bigger body — endlessly curving instead of crashing.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how orbits works.
Step by step
- 1Gravity constantly pulls the object inward.
- 2Sideways speed keeps it from falling straight down.
- 3The balance makes it curve around continuously.
- 4It's essentially 'falling' but always missing.
Frequently asked questions
- How do orbits work?
- An object falls toward a body due to gravity while moving sideways fast enough to keep missing it, curving around instead.
- Why don't satellites fall to Earth?
- They move sideways so fast that as they fall, the ground curves away beneath them — they keep missing.
- What keeps the Moon in orbit?
- Earth's gravity, balanced by the Moon's sideways motion, holds it in a continuous curved path.