2007-11-13 15:00:31 · 4 answers · asked by arbederi 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It depends where you want it to go. The relative orbits of the Moon and the nearby planets dictate what is the best time for launch to make it the most fuel-efficient (and therefore most practical) date for a launch aimed at any specific destination. If you're planning a launch to Mars, for example, you want to time it so that it will get there when Mars is at the closest point in its orbit to Earth, rather than on the other side of the Sun.
2007-11-13 15:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by john_holliday_1876 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than the foreign body's relative position from earth, weather is another factor. You may not be able to successfully launch a spaceship in a storm, would be disastrous
2007-11-13 19:43:00 · answer #2 · answered by draft 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The timing & location are crucial for the orbit desired.
They have to calculate what's called a Launch Window.
That's to conserve fuel, which in turn means weight.
Fuel weight has to be balanced with pay-load weight.
We're in very early stages of space-travel yet.
The kind of rockets we use is still rather primitive.
2007-11-13 15:07:10 · answer #3 · answered by Robert S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The planets have to be aligned just right to achieve the trajectory desired. Also, the launch is made when weather conditions are right.
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2007-11-13 15:17:03 · answer #4 · answered by krazykyngekorny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋