Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:15 pm
spurs-442 wrote:TripleS wrote:7db wrote:I'm just disappointed that NASA wasn't on the call.
Aye, that could have been 22,000 knots.
BTW, ignorance showing again here, and going slightly off the original topic:
It is said that you need a speed of about 25,000 mph to escape from Earth's gravitational pull; but if you point your rocket straight up to the sky, and keep shoving hard enough for long enough, regardless of the speed, will it not enentually escape in a straight line, rather than going round and round until you reach escape velocity?
Sorry about all this, but you'd be amazed at some of the things I don't understand......or maybe you wouldn't!
Best wishes all,
Dave.
I believe that it is actually 17,500mph to escape gravity's chains.
the rockets do (give or take a few degrees, go straight up) as they don't want to spend too much time in the ozone layer which would cook the rocket. and the fuel bill is large enough already without the need to go at an angle - which would require larger fuel tanks etc.
I read elsewhere that escape velocity is 11.2 km/sec. which seems to convert to a bit over 25,000 mph - which I suppose might be considered a fairly high speed - at least relative to our NSL.
....ananudder t'ing:
If we walk round to Australia, why don't we feel as if we're upside down and walking on a ceiling?
Best wishes all,
Dave.