the weather there is full of hurricanes
2006-12-07 13:22:44 · 7 answers · asked by tallus1 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
the South-most point of US, which adds more of earth rotation to shuttle's speed.
also if shuttle crashes, it falls into the sea, and not on someone's home
finally, hurricanes only occur in certain season, and are very easy to track
2006-12-07 13:25:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hurricanes are easy to predict weeks in advance and the shuttle can be kept in the hangar until the storm danger passes
The weather is warmer than other parts of the us
launching to the east gives higher velocity relative to the earth- take every advantage available like airplanes taking off into the wind.
launching to the east would allow a crash to hit the ocean instead of some innocent citizens.
the kennedys (JFK announced the US plans to land on the moon within 10 years and we did it) have lots of vacation property in Florida and they like to see the Apollo's and Shuttles flying around while they were on vacation. The launch site used to be called cape caneveral but they changed it to KEnnedy space center because of this. I think the kennedys like to vacation in florida because of the topless beaches- except PAtrick- isn't he the one that got charged with rape on the beach in florida.
2006-12-07 21:36:29 · answer #2 · answered by MrWiz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As speed is relative, and the escape velocity needed is in relation to the earth, and the fact that the rockets are launched straight up and then go thru course corrections, and the fact they shoot polar shots every now and then, I do not think it really adds to the speed of the rocket as the rocket is going "that fast" at launch to begin with. However to be able to reach free fall or weightless then we have to go east. And it may be due to a large body of water to use in emergencies is better there than more north. Lack of population on the cape may be....although it is a very large game preserve.
2006-12-08 11:06:12 · answer #3 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a clear shot to the east so they don't need to cover populated ground but more importantly, the closer you get to the equator, the bigger advantage to get when you launch east. You pick up the velocity of the earth's rotation added to your speed and it takes less fuel to get into orbit.
2006-12-07 21:29:15 · answer #4 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you can see more scantily clad chicks when you are an astronaut on lift off. Miami has topless beaches. You can see quite a bunch of free boobies as you rocket into escape velocity.
2006-12-07 21:28:51 · answer #5 · answered by x 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They just aborted todays launch.
2006-12-07 21:56:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tallus1 I saw you on the news today...!!
â http://www.osoq.com/funstuff/extra/extra03.asp?strName=tallus1
2006-12-07 21:36:20 · answer #7 · answered by elj g 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋