Initial Velocity
Initial Velocity
(OP)
Hi,
I was just thinking about this:
When a spacecraft takes off from the ground at say KSC the Earth's rotational velocity is an added bonus, which diminishes as lattitude increases. My question is when a spacecraft is launched from an aircraft (Pegasus) does the earth's rotation plus the aircraft's velocity give the added bonus?
I am thinking it does since aircraft landing at the equator that took off from Cincinnati, Ohio don't have to increase their speed wrt the earth.
Thinking out loud I guess.
Tony
I was just thinking about this:
When a spacecraft takes off from the ground at say KSC the Earth's rotational velocity is an added bonus, which diminishes as lattitude increases. My question is when a spacecraft is launched from an aircraft (Pegasus) does the earth's rotation plus the aircraft's velocity give the added bonus?
I am thinking it does since aircraft landing at the equator that took off from Cincinnati, Ohio don't have to increase their speed wrt the earth.
Thinking out loud I guess.
Tony





RE: Initial Velocity
Depending on location of re-entry, might there be a wee bit more or less energy to dissipate as heat into the atmosphere?
Jay