[CarolinaGuitarman]

"So let's go back to the question... 1) was it once a theory that a space ship could orbit the earth... and 2) is it now a proven fact that a space ship can orbit the earth?"

No for number one; yes for number two (sorta; the *proof* part is only for mathematics and whiskey).

The theory of orbital mechanics got a great boost when we sent a ship into Earth orbit. It did not, and could not, PROVE the theory of orbital mechanics.

[kjam22]

So you don't think it's a proven fact that a spaceship can orbit the earth?