Is it more fuel efficient?
Are there equations to prove this?
2006-09-23 13:35:41 · 14 answers · asked by benabean87 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
They don't. They always take off from the Kennedy Space Center because that is where the only launch pads that handle the shuttle are.
If they could take off from the equator, then they would get a little extra speed from the Earth's rotation. The Earth rotates at about 1,000 miles per hour at the equator and 0 miles per hour at the pole, so the Shuttle only needs 16,500 miles per hour of speed when launched from the equator to get up to 17,500 miles per hour orbital speed. That assumes an orbit toward the east and in the plane of the equator.
2006-09-23 13:38:11 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Speed is relative. Relative to the reference point of the observer. How can you explain the "equator speed" theory when NASA shoots a polar orbit flight? Shuttles have to reach escape velocity in respect to the Earth no matter where they are launched from. If you are standing at the north pole and jump up you will land right back where you jumped from. Guess what? The same will happen at the equator. You are traveling the same as the earth so therefore in relation to earth you are not moving. Say you run the 4 min mile. No matter what direction you run, you will cover the mile in 4 minutes.
And since the rocket lifts perpendicular to the earth when it takes off, it is going against the rotation, not with it.
2006-09-23 16:36:38 · answer #2 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thought it was common knowledge, but all space shuttles are flown by NASA and take off from Cape Kennedy on the Eastern coast of Florida. There has never been an exception.
However, it's better for a rocket to lift off from the equator, because the rotation of the Earth gives it a bigger boost due to the higher linear velocity there. That is, things at the equator are traveling faster than anywhere else.
If you took off from the North or South pole you would get no boost due to rotation at all, so those are the worst places to build a launch station.
2006-09-23 13:43:48 · answer #3 · answered by fresh2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. The closer you get to the equator the less energy it takes to achieve orbit, because the Earth's rotation is added to the velocity gained by the engines. Although the Shuttle does not launch from the equator, the French launch their spacecraft from a point quite close.
2006-09-23 13:42:02 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To take advantage of the extra bit of a push from centrifugal force from the earth's rotation. Yes, more fuel efficient, and I am sure there are equations, but I don't know them. There is a landing strip for emergencies in The Gambia, W Africa too, just across the Atlantic from Florida, but I don't think it has been used. (At least, Banjul airport has a much longer runway than jets need, and it is subsidised by NASA or the US).
2006-09-23 13:45:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the earth is spinning. If they launch near the equator, the shuttle is already moving at a pretty fast pace even when sitting on the launch pad. This makes it require less boost from the rockets to reach orbit.
2006-09-23 13:38:30 · answer #6 · answered by Demiurge42 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They take off from Florida. It's right over the ocean, and the weather is (supposed to be) temperate. It's not the equator.
2006-09-23 13:38:48 · answer #7 · answered by just browsin 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The equator is the best center line when earth rotate, it is
like the national highway in the athmosphere and the best
guided runway when going back to earth.
2006-09-23 13:43:19 · answer #8 · answered by ron lynn m 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They don't but a lot of satellites do because the spin of the earth is greatest at the equator
2006-09-23 13:39:21 · answer #9 · answered by likeitis 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They have to gain speed
the wider the orbit the better
in order to be released by the
Earth gravity
2006-09-23 13:39:44 · answer #10 · answered by spyblitz 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋