For Those Astronomically Inclined...

[Alan Fawcett]

The ISS is in orbit around the earth, it does not "fly".

 

 

and people ask me why i don't post on here very often anymore!!!

 

 

Myself, i'm happy when people show an interest in something that i'm interested in and even moreso if it is a youngster or someone who would never have been interested if it hadn't been for me/someone showing them something that grabbed their attention and ignited a spark of interest.

 

The one thing i wouldn't do is to start trying to show them up for making simple mistakes.....(like the false belief that there is no air at the alltitude of the ISS)....anyway that's by the by...from now on i shall endevour to remember the correct term of "the ISS is falling back to Earth but every so often they fire..sorry ..activate the propulsion thrusters on the progress modules to take it back to it's designated orbit"

 

(should i say falling or should i use decaying orbit??)

[Andrew]

Troggy, how the heck are ya man. .

[Phone]

All,

 

I wouldn't be to hard on Cory. He was just winding me up a bit.

 

For fun, I have been reviewing the literature. It appears that the authority for using "fly" comes from science meaning to artifically circumnavigate or circle (completely or partially). However there is considerable usage of "fly" meaning to travel through the air in an aircraft or through space in a spacecraft. Use of the word fly in unmaned satalites is not as common. It seems naturally occuring comets almost always "fly".

 

Phone

This is my own stuff - I didn't look up the actual origins or usages.

[chesters1]

I live in a village ,am i missing seeing a tiny light moving uninterestingly overhead .

Actually theres lots of uninteresting lights passing overhead and i dont mean in the atmosphere

[corydoras]

All,

 

I wouldn't be to hard on Cory. He was just winding me up a bit.

 

For fun, I have been reviewing the literature. It appears that the authority for using "fly" comes from science meaning to artifically circumnavigate or circle (completely or partially). However there is considerable usage of "fly" meaning to travel through the air in an aircraft or through space in a spacecraft. Use of the word fly in unmaned satalites is not as common. It seems naturally occuring comets almost always "fly".

 

Phone

This is my own stuff - I didn't look up the actual origins or usages.

The only flying comets were made by De Havilland . Comets orbit the sun, just like the earth does.

[rob.imk2]

The only flying comets were made by De Havilland . Comets orbit the sun, just like the earth does.

If you keep being pedantic you will have people orbiting off the handle

[corydoras]

If you keep being pedantic you will have people orbiting off the handle

I'm not being pedantic, there is a vast difference between an object in flight and an object in orbit. That's why we use two different words.

[Phone]

Cory,

 

Looks like you are going to have to answer to both Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, To maintain formation geosynchronous satalites in orbit must FLY.

 

It is this same principle. You weigh less on the second floor of your house than you do on the first floor of your house.

 

Phone

[chesters1]

Cory,

 

Looks like you are going to have to answer to both Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, To maintain formation geosynchronous satalites in orbit must FLY.

 

It is this same principle. You weigh less on the second floor of your house than you do on the first floor of your house.

 

Phone

Bugger i live in a bungalow! am i disadvantaged?

[Steve Walker]

I'm waiting for news reports of some bombing or earthquake when we are told that many people were injured by glass in decaying orbit