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Joined: 05/07/2001
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MikeVT85
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How come space rockets don't just go straight up? . . .

AI: Rockets do not go straight up because they need to achieve high horizontal speed—not just high altitude—to enter orbit. If they went straight up, they would run out of fuel, fall back down, and crash, as the goal is to travel at roughly 17,500 mph (28,200 kph) sideways to perpetually "fall" around the Earth.
Posted: 04/02/2026 at 12:12 PM ET
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)

Thread Replies (22)

Full Thread →
Great launch, great moment, so pardon my pickyassedness.
PhotoHokieNC • 04/01/26 07:14 PM ET
To the moon Alice!!
MikeVT85 • 04/02/26 12:27 PM ET
They do, it's the 🎶earth moving under their feet🎶**
Hokebury • 04/02/26 12:22 PM ET
Supposed to be under MikeVT85**
Hokebury • 04/02/26 12:22 PM ET
How come space rockets don't just go straight up? . . . ◄
MikeVT85 • 04/02/26 12:12 PM ET
View from passenger jet . . .**
MikeVT85 • 04/02/26 12:06 PM ET
I thought alot of the coverage sucked.**
MikeVT85 • 04/02/26 12:00 PM ET
SpaceX has really set expectations high for launch day media operations.**
Freddyburg Hokie • 04/02/26 08:47 AM ET
Maybe so, but they still ought to use experienced camera
PhotoHokieNC • 04/02/26 09:31 AM ET
Commentary sounded like an emotional encounter session vs science and engin
ColoVT82 • 04/02/26 08:40 AM ET
Where’s Cronkite when we really needed him?**
PhotoHokieNC • 04/02/26 09:23 AM ET
The GOAT!!**
91HokieBob • 04/02/26 09:30 AM ET
fair-play... it was disjointed at points/times... very graphical too.**
bourbonstreet • 04/01/26 07:22 PM ET
Yeah, lift off was good but rest is not great **
coshokie • 04/01/26 07:19 PM ET
Beats hell outta trying driving to Titusville **
astrohokie • 04/01/26 07:17 PM ET
Q. I've watched these for decades... you have too; why so much less LIVE?
bourbonstreet • 04/01/26 07:21 PM ET
I'm not sure folks that cover this stuff know how to match impedences.
ColoVT82 • 04/02/26 12:08 PM ET
Gotta be @ Joe Q. Public level, unfortunately **
astrohokie • 04/01/26 07:30 PM ET
Also, the BS from Hollywood, NBA, that "comedian" ... (rolls eyes)**
PhotoHokieNC • 04/02/26 07:42 AM ET
I thought the same. Especially the dumb shots of the crowd.**
PhotoHokieNC • 04/01/26 08:29 PM ET
1st-time (manned) kinks... bound to be a few guzinta whatchamacallit...**
bourbonstreet • 04/01/26 07:33 PM ET
I went down to two Shuttle launches including
PhotoHokieNC • 04/01/26 07:20 PM ET
Eye bet(s)... very... indeed.
bourbonstreet • 04/01/26 07:25 PM ET