Answer: Both satellite and astronaut are in free fall.
- A No gravity in space in most cases under typical conditions
- B Gravity is zero at that height according to standard textbooks
- C Both satellite and astronaut are in free fall
- D The satellite is too far from Earth in general practice
Correct answer: C. Both satellite and astronaut are in free fall
Explanation: Weightlessness occurs because the satellite and astronaut are both in free fall (continuously falling toward Earth as they orbit).
g is maximum at Earth's surface; going up, it falls off as 1/r² (inverse-square); going down, it falls off linearly with depth (since only the mass enclosed within radius r contributes), reaching zero at the centre.
Concept context
Universal gravitation, orbital mechanics, gravitational potential, and escape velocity.