It took a few more technological advances, but it was largely Newton’s insights from 1697 that have allowed us to put more than 2,000 mechanical messengers and observers in weightless orbit around our planet. He explained that orbiting objects, like our robotic satellites or the moon, are constantly falling to the earth. They are just traveling fast enough that by the time they would have fallen to the ground they have passed, or missed the earth, only to find themselves on another side of the planet falling still.

In order to miss the earth’s surface from the altitude of low earth orbit, the International Space Station, for instance, must travel an amazing 4.76 miles per second (7.6 km/s). Meanwhile, the moon is far enough outside our gravitational pull that it only needs to move little faster than a typical bullet fired from a gun; a mere 0.635 miles per second (1 km/s).

These speeds may not sound like a tranquil, weightless experience, but Einstein showed us this is all relative. The Earth is currently taking us on an 18.6 mile per second (30 km/s) trip around the Sun and I can still pour my tea without making a mess ... usually.

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This print measures 12 x 16 inches plus a half inch white border. Shipped rolled and well protected inside a tube by USPS mail. Frame not included.

This is a high quality print of an original oil painting. It is printed with archival, pigmented inks on fine matte finish paper and lightly signed at the lower right. I put a lot of time into making sure my prints look great and I get lots of compliments on them!

Please note that color and brightness vary on all devices and may appear differently on your screen.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Rob Rey Art retains all rights to the image, do not copy without permission. Watermarks and copyright notices will not appear on your print.