– could the space shuttle just fly into space like a plane, rather than being propelled vertically by rockets?

Question

– could the space shuttle just fly into space like a plane, rather than being propelled vertically by rockets?

In: 48

Answer 1

Technically it does fly, the trajectory isnt straight up (for the whole flight) it starts vertical then an arc, then flies “sideways” (belly to earth) fast enough to basically continuously fall around the earth vs flying around it.