2007-06-14 04:12:38 · 6 answers · asked by Tomas D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Actually, it is orbiting 'forward' in the same direction as Earth spins. By launching rockets towards the east, we gain the speed that Earth's surface already has in that direction.
We need a speed of almost 8 km/s to achieve orbit. At the equator, Earth's surface is moving eastward at 1667 km/h (almost 0.5 km/s). If we launch from the equator, towards East, then we only need to provide the extra 7.5 km/s (every little bit helps).
That is why more than 50% of satellites are orbitting eastwards.
Almost all launches are towards the east. If the satellite is to be put in another orbit (e.g., polar), it is still launched eastward, then extra energy is needed to correct its orbit once it is in space (this is still easier than trying to lanch it directly into a polar orbit from the surface).
2007-06-14 04:24:17 · answer #1 · answered by Raymond 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When a rocket is launched, it is launched towards the east. This is to achieve "orbit" as it has to go as fast as the earth is dropping away from it.(orbit is actually a continuous fall). So we on earth see satellites travel from the west to wards the east. This is normal and not backwards.
note on polar launches: they are launched directly polar as the shuttle was launched polar once and I watched it travel right over the coast of new hampshire. The earths rotation helps increase speed for deep space probes to get where they are going, but since both the earth and the rocket are at the same speed in rotation at launch, no addidtion is added here.
2007-06-14 11:27:45 · answer #2 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know most, if not all satellites orbit in that direction...
This may be due to the Coriolis effect: When a rocket/shuttle takes off, the rotation of the Earth forces it to go from west to east... Consequently all satellites launched will have a tendency to go in that direction. But note that the higher a satellite is, the slower it revolves around Earth; at 36000km, they stay in place (it's called geostationary orbit), just like weather satellites.
2007-06-14 11:16:56 · answer #3 · answered by Damien 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
because by that way it will take a longer time to move over each region of earth for complete views and checking of areas for weather and other purposes as earth rotates west to east (i think)
2007-06-14 11:18:21 · answer #4 · answered by sankardivya1 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
That's forwards.
2007-06-14 13:06:07 · answer #5 · answered by anonymous 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its following the sun to power the solar cells
2007-06-14 11:21:11 · answer #6 · answered by sparks9653 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋