We know that a rocket needs to attain a speed of 25,000 MPH to leave the gravity of the Earth and never come back,
for going to Mars or Jupiter. We have been able to calculate that speed (25,000 MPH) by using the formula used in
Celestial Mechanics. If we had tried to send a rocket to Mars with a maximum speed of 20,000 MPH, it would never
have escaped the gravity of the Earth and would be orbiting the Earth in some kind of elliptical orbit.
So, to say the we don't understand gravity is not very smart. We understand all we need to know about gravity for
rockets, satellites and the planets of the solar system (which are orbiting around the Sun, like the Earth does).
I know .... don't tell me ... BUT THE CHURCH FATHERS, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH ...
Give me some more negative votes. That will prove me wrong.
It is obvious to me now Apollo that you avoid many of the replies to your position. This tells me you are not open to faith or reason. You keep insulting the Fathers, popes and theologians saying they have no expertese in astronomy.
It was Galileo who said ASTRONOMY would correct Scriptuiral exegesis. The astronomy that we geocentrists defend FIRST is the geocentrism of SCRIPTURE. It has God as its Author so He knows how he created it. The popes had every right to defend Scripture against the ideologies of philosophers AND GUYS LIKE YOURSELF. So no more BUT THE CHURCH FATHERS BLAH, BLAH,BAH... if you dont mind. They simply interpreted the Word of God, and did NOT indulge in cosmology.
There are times when you write like a ten-year-old. 'To say we don't understand gravity is not very smart' you write. By this I/WE MEAN WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSES GRAVITY, NOT HOW IT WORKS ON EARTH. I have already told you there are at least 5 different viable SCIENTIFIC THEORIES FOR THE CAUSE OF GRAVITY. You picked Newton's, but please do not tell us that his theory is a law.
Finally, here is a question on gravity in which you can show us all how much you know about it. Now I will be waiting for your answer knowall.
If I am on a train and I throw a ball as it passes a building, what speed will the ball hit the wall at? Won't it be the speed of the train PLUS the speed with which I throw it?
Now the 25,000mph needed to get a rocket into space. But given the rocket is launched off the earth (A TRAIN) doing 72,000mph shouldn't the rocket fly off into space at 97,000mph? Now get in touch with your pals in NASA and ask them at what rate they calculate the time it will take to get to its destination. Do they start at 97,000mph, so that it takes one hour to do 97,000miles.
When you get an answer let us know Apollo.