Why do space rockets not take off like planes (i.e. straight up vs sideways and up)?

Question

Why do space rockets not take off like planes (i.e. straight up vs sideways and up)?

In: 41

Answer 1

To fly sideways, you need wings. Those wings need air to create lift. At some altitude, but before you have reached “space” the air becomes too thin to create any more lift. So you’d never get there. There’s lots of other reasons too as others have commented.