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Mystery #4Tier 2-3space / gravity

Why do astronauts float in space?

Everyone says astronauts float because "there's no gravity in space." But the Space Station orbits quite close to Earth, where gravity is still almost as strong as on the ground. So if gravity is still pulling them, why do they float?

An astronaut floating aboard a spacecraft
Photo: NASA · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

Your guess

What's your hunch: why do astronauts float, if gravity up there is nearly as strong as down here?

There's no single magic word to type, have a go in your own words, then reveal the answer to see how close you got.

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