Instead of going UP to space why don't we go out of the SIDE of the Earth?

Answer 1

We do, sort of, as we take off in the direction of the rotation of earth, to have the rotational speed in our favor.

Answer 2

I'm not very sure what you are talking about here. But I think you maybe askng why we use rockets to break through the atmosphere instead of building a building and taking the elevators to the top. Is that the idea?

If it is, it is an old idea that has been around for a while. It is called a beanstalk.

here is what wikipedia.com says about beanstalks
A space elevator is a proposed structure designed to transport material from a celestial body's surface into space. Many different types of space elevators have been suggested. They all share the goal of replacing rocket propulsion with the traversal of a fixed structure via a mechanism not unlike an elevator in order to move material into or beyond orbit. Space elevators have also sometimes been referred to as beanstalks, space bridges, space lifts, space ladders or orbital towers.

The most common proposal is a tether, usually in the form of a cable or ribbon, spanning from the surface to a point beyond geosynchronous orbit. As the planet rotates, the inertia at the end of the tether counteracts gravity because of the centripetal force that keeps the cable taut. Vehicles can then climb the tether and escape the planet's gravity without the use of rocket propulsion. Such a structure could theoretically permit delivery of cargo and people to orbit with transportation costs a fraction of those of more traditional methods of launching a payload into orbit.

This concept, also called an orbital space elevator, geosynchronous orbital tether, or a beanstalk, is a subset of the skyhook concept. Construction would be a vast project: a tether would have to be built of a material that could endure tremendous stress while also being light-weight, cost-effective, and manufacturable in great quantities. Today's materials technology does not quite meet these requirements, although carbon nanotube technology shows promise. A considerable number of other novel engineering problems would also have to be solved to make a space elevator practical. Not all problems regarding feasibility have yet been addressed. Nevertheless, some believe that the necessary technology might be developed as early as 2008[1] and, according to the LiftPort Group developing the technology, the first space elevator could be operational by 2031.[2][3

to read more of the article here is the link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator

Answer 3

If you were standing on the "side" of the Earth, and go out, you would still be going up.

The Earth is spheroid in shape and down is the direction towards the center. Anywhere on Earth you stand, you feel the same as far as up and down goes.

There really is no "side" of the Earth because of this.

However, it's more favorable to launch things closer to the equator than the poles. The reason for this is, because of the way te Earth is spinning, you are moving the fastest at the equator. This "speed" helps things get into orbit with less fuel.

This is why the shuttle lanuches from Florida and not someplace with better weather.

Answer 4

I don't understand what you mean by the "SIDE" of the earth. Please explain. I understand that "UP" means in the direction of the sky, and "DOWN" means in the direction towards the center of the earth. If you want to go into space, you need to go away from the earth, that is, in the direction of the sky.

Answer 5

Up is any direction away from the Center of the Earth, and you have to get farther from the center than the surface to reach space.

Answer 6

Because can you feel the Earth rotating? Because let's see... when the Earth rotates so the US is more or less sideways, we're still going up because of the gravity. We will be going sideways if someone looks from outer space, but we feel like we're moving UP.

Answer 7

Airplanes do that all the time as they take off.
They go off the side of earth not straight up.
Flying almost horizontal is not the fastest way to reach space .
ergo rockets go up not sideways.

Answer 8

There is a possibility that some day soon, there will be a space elevator. That would greatly decrease the need for so much rocket fuel for takeoff.

Answer 9

Because the earth is round.

Answer 10

Do you not understand that the Earth is a ball? Where have you been this last 500 years?

Look at a ball - what part of the ball would you call the "side".?

This is another one to add to my collection of idiot questions - thanks.