The astronaut would not actually fall directly like that. If he let go of whatever he was holding on to, he would continue in orbit along with the spacecraft due to Newton’ first law (inertia). Things in orbit eventually do fall to earth and burn up due to friction with the atmosphere, but this would take a long time, especially considering the high altitude portrayed in the comic. It could be a female astronaut, in which case change the he to she. And yeah, I know, I must be a real doofus/nerd/dweeb to point out physics inconsistensies in the funnies. It’s my service to mankind.
The astronaut would not actually fall directly like that. If he let go of whatever he was holding on to, he would continue in orbit along with the spacecraft due to Newton’ first law (inertia). Things in orbit eventually do fall to earth and burn up due to friction with the atmosphere, but this would take a long time, especially considering the high altitude portrayed in the comic. It could be a female astronaut, in which case change the he to she. And yeah, I know, I must be a real doofus/nerd/dweeb to point out physics inconsistensies in the funnies. It’s my service to mankind.