Basically the post title, wouldn’t it be faster to go through the atmosphere at an angle instead of pushing up through the atmosphere? Is it possible to launch a spaceship this way?
I never took high school physics so this may be an exceptionally dumb question.
Edit: Thanks for all the explanations! I understand why now
In: Physics
the most fuel efficient way to get out of earths atmosphere is to go straight up. you want to minimize the “burn time” b/c longer burn times mean more fuel. which means more weight and such.
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