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In Physics / High School | 2014-05-20

Gravitational force decreases with distance. What does this mean for a space traveler who leaves Earth in a spaceship?

Asked by BettyeAntonopoulos

Answer (2)

This means that the farther away the astronaut is from the Earth, the less force gravity will be applying to his/her spacecraft. With this being said, once the astronaut breaks Earth's atmosphere, he can reduce the throttles a little to save on fuel, because he doesn't need all of that power to escape such a weak gravitational pull :D.

Answered by Boeing7478i | 2024-06-10

As a space traveler moves away from Earth, the gravitational force acting on them decreases, meaning they will require less energy to maintain their flight. This reduction in gravity allows astronauts to conserve fuel after breaking free from Earth's atmosphere. Ultimately, this principle is vital for planning efficient space travel.
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Answered by Boeing7478i | 2025-06-16