Quote:
Originally Posted by Donger
Well, I'd still label it as an orbit, but yes, the ISS and the space shuttles were/are moving at speeds sufficient to be falling toward Earth at all times, but the speed is such that they are falling past the horizon.
That's very different that other orbits, such as geosynchronous.
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No, geosynchronous orbits obey the same satellite orbital gravitational/motion theories as any other orbiting object. The difference is that geosynchronous objects are far away enough to allow them to fall and advance so the resultant is at a rate that is very, very close to the rotation of the earth.
The same orbital theories can give us the Lagrange Points where the gravity effects of two large objects can give regions where a much smaller object suspended in these areas around the larger ones. We do find asteroids in those areas. These points are locations were an answer can actually be obtained analytically for 3 bodied orbital equations. The whole of the solar system, is actually more like constantly trying to remain balanced upon a bicycle. All the different forces seem to balance out on a 4 dimensional field though. These do seem different. Is this your meaning.