In light of the recent launches I was wondering why rockets launch straight up instead of taking of like a plane.
It seems to take so much fuel to go straight up, and in my mind I can’t see to get my head around why they don’t take off like a plane and go up gradually like that.
Edit – Spelling and grammar
Edit 2 – Thank you to everyone who responded. You have answered a life long question.
In: Physics
There are hybrid jet rocket engines being developed which allows for take off like you describe. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylon_(spacecraft)
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