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Initial Velocity

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astroclone

Aerospace
Nov 17, 2001
52
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
 
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Since the atmosphere rotates with the earth, wouldn't you get the same boost?

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

Jay
 
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