Is it possible to determine the percentage of the gravitational force at a specified distance using only the geometry of the planet?

Example: The ISS at ~420km altitude “weighs” about 90% of what it would on the Earth’s surface.

Is there an equation using only geometrical values that would give you this info?

  • mozz@mander.xyz
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    10 months ago

    Force is proportional to m1 * m2 / r^2, so your weight as a percentage of your surface weight is equal to (radius of earth / (radius of earth + height above surface))^2.