2007-03-20 08:32:56 · 3 answers · asked by luvnbball1968 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I'm not a physicist, but I would imagine that the angular momentum of the earth decreases (by the amount the shuttle gains minus the amount held by the exhaust left in the atmosphere). The angular momentum of the shuttle + earth would remain the same (minus rocket exhaust while in a vacuum, if it is lost from earth completely). Lost, too, would be the angular momentum from any satellites (or debris) launched from the shuttle, until they return. The effect would be very small from all these sources.
2007-03-20 08:46:13 · answer #1 · answered by David A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What: the shuttle weighs about 300 tonnes
The Earth weighs 6,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 tonnes.
If a bacteria falls out of your hair, would you notice?
2007-03-20 08:51:09 · answer #2 · answered by nick s 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Mass is temporarily removed from the earth(the shuttle) but it is not significant to cause any change.
2007-03-20 08:38:10 · answer #3 · answered by xooxcable 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋