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Planets in orbit are essentially in constant free-fall around their star, where their forward momentum perfectly matches the downward pull of gravity.
Astrophysics
1. Orbital Mechanics & Gravity
Gravity acts as the cosmic tether holding celestial bodies in place. The Sun holds 99.8% of the Solar System's mass, curving spacetime around it.
💡 Explain Simply (TL;DR)
Orbits are the delicate balance between forward velocity and gravitational pull.