Why Are Satellites Launched To The East
With satellites the object is not to escape earth s gravity but to balance it.
Why are satellites launched to the east. The huge rockets used in launching a spaceship help this to happen by giving a huge amount of thrust enough to achieve escape velocity. This is similar to an athlete circling round and. Why is it better to launch satellites from the equator in an eastwards direction. The initial boost helps in cutting down the cost of rockets used to launch the satellites.
Most satellites are launched to the east to utilize the earth s rotation as an extra propelling force. This is similar to an athlete circling round and round before throwing a discus or a shot put. A satellite launched from the sites near the equator towards the east direction will get an initial boost equal to the velocity of earth surface. This is approximately 17 000 mph 27 359 kph at an altitude of 150 miles 242 km.
It means in general term from west to east as we see the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. The earth is rotating in a counter clockwise direction when viewed from the north pole from. When seen from the north pole the earth rotates anti clock wise. A satellite launched from the sites near the equator towards the east direction will get an initial boost equal to the velocity of earth surface.
Before we discover the reason let us know about the earth s rotation. Why are most rockets launched from the east coast of countries. Also these rockets travel eastward so if anything goes wrong during their ascent the debris would essentially fall into an ocean s waters far. Subscribe above for more quick lectures.