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
You’re right in the sense that in order to get into orbit, a rocket has to go sideways very, *very* fast. The International Space Station is whizzing along at over 17,000mph!
However, spacecraft in orbit can only get to (and stay at) such ludicrous speeds because there’s no air resistance to slow them down. The ISS is a fairly low 250 miles from the ground, most satellites are much further up.
In order to use their fuel in the most efficient way possible, rockets go straight up to get to thinner atmosphere as fast as possible. Then they begin to turn sideways, and increase their lateral speed.
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