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Shall I slap a dunce cap on my head and stand in the corner?

I haven’t taken Astronomy yet.

Basically an object in orbit around the Earth (for example) is constantly falling due to the force of gravity. However, the path of falling carries the object around the Earth rather than falling back onto the earth. If an object does not achieve orbit, it will follow a ballistic path back to the Earth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit

I'll give you an honest cook's answer.

You don't have to take Astronomy. You can in-opportune an astronomy prof any day of the week and he'll talk until you have to fake a seizure.

There is force. It is a unit of measure.

There is mass. It is a unit of measure.

There is acceleration which is a complicated kind of unit of measure but for Newtonian cases what you see is what you get.

Force acting on a body causes it to move. It will move until another force acts on it.

Get that part and you've got most of it.

Dammit, I'm a cook not a prof.

/johnny

"Shall I slap a dunce cap on my head and stand in the corner? I haven’t taken Astronomy yet."

Your question was loaded. It would require someone to write a few hundred pages of detailed information to even get you started down a path of where then to look for such information.
Regardless of your age. That's fine. Consider books at your local library. If your in High School, perhaps, search your library and local colleges. You frequent the internet.
Log onto NASA.gov. Send them a email to help you find a ton of useful sites, that can help in your quest of knowledge.
Your questions quite frankly where beyond a simple explanation. Take the rough answers as perhaps a guide in that you must become more adapt at doing a lot of "homework".
Regarding "Astronomy". That has nothing to do with rocket flight mechanics, nor satellites design. Nor in the myriad of electronic components that go into the systems that are lifted into space for diverse applications.
But I sense it was an appeal that your on your "way up", in the learning curve. So don't take my writing as a rebutal or rebuke on that statement.
Don't be discouraged by some of the answers. Do understand, if your really serious about seeking knowledge in these particular fields of science/engineering. You will have to be patient with yourself in a long quest of seeking knowledge on the subjects.
Don't be discouraged. Perhaps your a bit on the young side, perhaps not so young. No shame in being older and still wanting to seek knowledge.
I seldom write as long a reply to anyone at this point. But I sense perhaps your innocent in your questions and do seek an answer.
The answer POWERSBOOTTHEFAN to your questions depend on your ambition to seek the answers. Books, Internet are at your disposal. If your in middle school, or high school....seek guidance from your science teachers.
If you have entered a college level. Then the bet is just sweeter you can connect with the science departments, you got a library that can get books galore on the subjects you profess a yearning to understand.
I hope my time at the keyboard has not been a waste of time.
DON'T become discourage. God gave you a brain. Learn how to effectively use it. I have offered you some proven roads to seek what you desire to learn. Now Freeper. It is up to you to reach out with some confidence and seek THE END GOAL.