2007-03-28 10:37:33 · 4 answers · asked by ? 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The goal of a satelite launch is to put it into orbit, this requires a high velocity "horizontally". If you just launched something straight up, it would come straight down.
In fact however, the recent 1st privately funded rocket launches Virgin Galactic space ship 1 did exactly that.. just launched straight up to reach the edge of space then let gravity bring him (almost) straight down again. This is a great advantage for adventure space flight because it minimizes problems with reentry. The high heat of re-entry on most space craft is because they have to burn off that high orbital speed.
2007-03-28 11:01:09 · answer #1 · answered by Leonardo D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a way of easing in and out of orbit without killing the passengers. If you launched straight up, it would take tremendous acceleration in a very short time, more than people can handle. And you'd still need to start orbiting or fall right back down as your momentum went away. An orbit is a way of falling toward the Earth but at a rate that keeps overshooting and missing it. It would also take a tremendous amount of fuel to land vertically on Earth at a survivable speed.
Compare climbing a ladder versus climbing stairs. Which is harder?
2007-03-28 19:31:16 · answer #2 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they have to rotate around the earth at 8 km/s to stay in orbit. it they come back perpendicularly they would crash.
2007-03-28 17:40:40 · answer #3 · answered by neutron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is easier to reach excape velocity at an angle. A dead fall straight down to earth? Maybe you should concentrate on some other topics.............say maybe why is the sky blue? And where does dew drops come from?
2007-03-28 17:44:01 · answer #4 · answered by Justin Case 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋