What happens if a spaceship's rockets are fired away from the earth's surface?

Question

In order to increase its orbit, a spaceship will fire its rockets in the direction of travel and against in order to deorbit. What would happen if rockets were fired opposite the force of gravity while in space?

So what's the difference between firing rockets against the direction of travel and towards the earth?

Answer 1

Im not sure i get this question exactly.. If the rockets were fired outside of earths atmosphere, there would still be a level of gravity involved, due to the earths mass.

But mostly, the power vs weight ratio would be leverage against the pull of the earths gravity and the sucker would just shoot out into open space.

I've been saying it for a loooong time. We should build a Magnetic accelerator (rail gun) to THWACHUNK! canisters into space, towards the sun, or out between other celestial bodies. You could load canisters with radioactive waste... used cell phones.. batteries.. or just traditional garbage. Shoot them out away from the earth. With that kind of waste disposal system in place, we could clean up landfills.

Answer 2

You would gain altitude until the rocket stops firing or you leave orbit entirely. You would only increase the speed if the rocket is fired in the direction of travel, and any increase in altitude would be minimal. Only fire your rockets when necessary! Good Luck.

Answer 3

It is never done when the ship is on the launching pad, total destruction scenario.

To slow down the ship it is fired in that opposite direction, while ship is flying.

On jet engine reverse thruster are activated, most of the time after landing to slow down the jet plain. Without this device 3 to 4 times the runway may be needed for some very heavy plains. Para-suite are provided and used, on drag cars(racing) and on space shuttle-for same reason.

Answer 4

Sounds like from the wording of your question the ship would head towards the Earth, because you said you were firing the rockets away from the Earth.

Answer 5

Invision the line of force as the orbit. The orbit you see is the graphic form of the escape velocity in counterpoise to gravity. Firing against the orbit in this fashion is called breaking orbit. The orbit will then decay by the countering force of the break.

Answer 6

Action/Reaction The rocket will move in the direction opposite the thrust. It takes more thrust to work directly against gravity.

Answer 7

space is a vacuam, a rocket therefore, pushes against its own gases it produces .in effect its own exhaust, . ergo no gravity.
so im told.