Question

The international space station is maintained in a nearly circular orbit with a mean altitude of 330 km and a maximum of 410 km. An astronaut is floating in the space station’s cabin. The acceleration of astronaut as measured from the earth is

(a) zero

(b) nearly zero and directed towards the earth

(c) nearly g and directed along the line of travel of the station

(d) nearly g and directed towards the earth

Answer 1

Answer is : (d) nearly g and directed towards the earth

At height h, acceleration due to gravity is

Direction is towards centre of earth.