sciencecapsules

         A fast running bi-cycle hit by an object may not fall down.  It gets stabilized due to gyroscopic effect.  A boat or ship tilted by the strong wind will not turn turtle because it is so designed to stabilize itself.  A space station orbiting around the earth may get hit by a rock.  It may slow down.  But it will not plummet to the earth.  It automatically get stabilized.  Let see how.      A satellite is taken by the rocket and pushed into the orbit.  The satellite is given a preciously calculated velocity called 'orbital velocity'.  If the velocity is slightly less than the orbital velocity, it will fall down on the earth pulled by gravity.  If the velocity is more, it will fly away from the earth or earth's gravity.      Any orbiting or rotating body have what is called "angular momentum'.  given by the formula      Angular momentum = mass * velocity* radius of orbit This quantity is always remain constant and conserved.  As the radius increas