Debunking the “space skydive” myth. Why do astronauts float weightlessly on the International Space Station, whereas airplane passengers walk as if they are on solid ground? Understanding the difference between aerodynamic lift and orbital motion

The International Space Station (ISS) ( Fig. 1 ) is a laboratory the size of a mansion, orbiting Earth at an altitude of 250 miles (400 km). It was assembled in space using modules sent into orbit in separate launches, because no rocket is powerful enough to launch such a large structure in one piece. The station features habitable areas with breathable air for astronauts, as well as airless sections housing machinery operated by robotic arms, which are accessible only via sp