The MASSIVE difference between orbit and sub-orbit

Speaking of sub-orbital: The SR-71 was once passing through Los Angeles airspace and asked for clearance to fly over at 70,000 feet. The air controller didn't know who they were and irritatedly asked how exactly do they plan to get up that high. The pilot said: "Sir, we were hoping to DECEND to 70,000 feet."

I understand the basics of orbital mechanics, but it's always fun to have them explained again. I really appreciate your work, Tim, and encourage you to keep it up. Thanks for making this and your other videos.

You were not kidding with the amount of animations in this video O.O they look sooo good!

“There is an art, it says, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, which presents the difficulties.” ― Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything

Best explanation of an orbit I've ever seen the ball throwing example makes it so clear!

Tim really needs to learn the difference between inertia and momentum. I've heard him make that same mistake in live streams as well. Inertia is an object's resistance to acceleration due to a force. Thus, inertia is effectively synonymous with mass. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity. An object of a constant mass will have a constant inertia, regardless of its velocity. A highly massive object at zero velocity will still have a lot of inertia. Inertia is why, even in a zero-G environment, an astronaut pushing on a massive, free-floating object will still feel that object pushing back on their hand, even though it has no weight. Momentum, not inertia, is what carries an object on a ballistic trajectory, as momentum incorporates velocity.

This was probably one of the best explanations I have ever heard about orbit and sub-orbit and how to achieve orbit. Thank you very much.

I'm glad you highlighted Shatner's response to his flight, I was really touched when I saw his reaction and heard him describe the experience. It made me appreciate suborbital flights much more.

I finally understand how and why there are two burns to get into orbit. I didn't know about how the first burn creates an elliptical orbit and the second burn at apogee creates a circular orbit. Thanks for a great video.

Great work. This is by far the best explanation of orbit I have ever heard

"We didn't tell the recovery crew you would be staying, so they are still looking. Good job!" +20,000 Funds +10 Science +5 Reputation

Your videos are so informative and easy to understand for us layman types. Thanks so much for all your work and videos!

You really have come a long way in just a couple (few?) years Tim. I am astonished how much you've learned (and shown us) in this time, even with the help of all your supporters, it's just astonishing to me to see how fast the world has changed with the internet. Thank you so so much for taking your life and sharing what you've done with it with the world! You truly are one of a kind!

Evergreen as always. Keep doing what you're doing! You are on a good trajectory.

That old Douglas Adams line: throw yourself at the ground and miss. Also Shatner's experience reminds me of the Total Perspective Vortex.

This was utterly amazing and I can see myself watching it over and over

Tim, spectacular work as always. You and your team truely have a gift at making ultra complex space related content understandable to us mortals. Keep up the fantastic work. I've watched every one of your videos and can't wait to see what you planned next. God speed good sir!

Great video Tim. The ball/gun illustration is the best explanation of orbit I've seen - brilliant! Makes total sense now!

As an orbit I can confirm this is true

👍 Extremely good explanations of topics that many people don't know so much about 👍 You are literally bringing space down to everyday people!