Comparison Between International Space Station and Airplane Flying

Abstract: Inertial forces are not intuitive; therefore, interesting examples are great help for learners. In this paper, we examine simple models for International Space Station (ISS) and airplane flying and identify the inertial forces involved and their effect. In both cases there are centrifugal forces but in the case of the ISS, the centrifugal force is the only major force opposing the gravitational attraction that is pulling it towards the Earth at 0.885 the gravity at the surface of the Earth. While in the case of an airplane, it is a minor component amounting to less than 1% in the best case of flying along the equator west to east. Other inertial forces including the Coriolis force affect the airplane. Another thing we see is that flying with the Earth direction west to east gives a markedly higher forces than flying in the opposite direction. The maintenance of the ISS orientation with respect to Earth requires rotation of ISS around its center of gravity (cg) at the same rate as it revolves around the Earth (4 degrees per minute) while for an airplane, maintaining level flight at a constant speed and height does not require direct intervention because the amount of adjustment is so small and gradual that it is handled by the pilot system as a part of the disturbances that affects the airplane.