why earth satellites destined for equatorial orbits are nearly always launched toward east rather than west?

Answer 1

The rotation of the Earth contributes to the velocity of the rocket. This is why NASA likes to launch from Florida......because it is closer to the equator than most other locations in America.

At the poles the rotation of the Earth is almost negligible, and at the Equator it is most pronounced.

Answer 2

In launching eastward, the satellites are travelling with the earth's direction of rotation. Since the earth rotates at 1000 mph, it gives the satellite a good "push".

Answer 3

If you launch towards the west then you lose the 1000 mph equatorial velocity so you have to use more fuel to obtain orbital velocity..

Answer 4

they are launched to the east because at the equator they already have a head start eastbound of 1000 mph.

at more northern latitudes, the head-start is less, but at least it's not a handicap as it would be if launched west.

(cos (latitude) x 1000 mph) is the head-start speed.

this of course is because the earth is spinning east, at about 1000 mph at the equator (circumference about 24,000 miles, 24 hours to spin once, hence 1000 miles per hour)

hope that helps! :-)

Answer 5

you opt for continuously the comparable velocity relative to the middle of Earth - yet once you launch in the direction of the east, you ought to use Earths rotation as help, reducing the quantity of propellants you opt for. Launching to the west right into a retrograde orbit will improve the propellant expenses, as you first would desire to counter Earths rotation and then improve the fee for orbit.