does anyone know what way NASA launches their space shuttles north, east, or west? i know it is not south. i think it is west but im not sure so please help!
2007-12-18 13:27:06 · 3 answers · asked by chelsea 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
They launch east. This is so they can add the speed of the earth's rotation to the speed of the rocket.
The velocity needed to go into orbit is the same from any point on earth and it is independent of the earth's rotation. So we will always launch east because this adds a few hundred miles an hour for "free." That's the direction the earth is turning, so the rocket is already going that way at about 7 or 8 hundred miles an hour when it is sitting on the ground.
2007-12-18 13:33:32 · answer #1 · answered by Brant 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cirric and Brant are right, and I'd like to add that shuttles launch from Florida rather than anywhere else in the US because, since they ARE launching to the east, any mishaps will occur over the Atlantic Ocean and not over a populated region. Of course, we hope they never happen, but one can't be too careful. Good luck!
2007-12-18 16:41:39 · answer #2 · answered by Lucas C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Usually in the direction of Earth's spin, inclined based on the mission. Mostly easterly.
2007-12-18 13:33:20 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋