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Why it is easier to launch an Earth satellite into an orbit that circles eastward than one that circles westward

If you think about it, something in orbit is falling, but it is falling vertically with sufficient horizontal speed that it clears the edge of the Earth as it falls. So it continually falls in an orbit.

If the satellite is moving east, turning with the earth, it is like a boat going downstream....it has that much extra horizontal motion so it's easier to keep it in orbit longer.
If it's moving west, against the earth, to get the same horizontal speed, you'd not only have to achieve that speed, but you must first overcome the speed of the Earth's rotation. So it's easier to use your existing motion in your favor than to try and overcome it.

*I am not a physicist 🙂
 


<< why it is easier to launch an Earth satellite into an orbit that circles eastward than one that circles westward >>



Yeah, that's something that's been keeping me awake at night too! Won't someone *please* answer this and put us out of our misery?!
 
It's cuz the gravitational pull of all the asian people to the east is far greater than the relatively small number of people in the americas to the west silly. J/k...I really don't know.

 


<< thanks...now i can sleep...in class that is 🙂

thanks Jzero, sure ur not a physists..
btw im no speller >>



ROFL. I meant it as a disclaimer in case someone comes in a says "Jzero doesn't know jack--don't listen to him."
It won't be the first time 🙂
 
Who is jack?

The earth spins at a thousand miles per hour at the equator. Since, by the way the equator is 24,000 miles long it takes 24 hours to go around once. Coincidentally that's how long a day is. 😀 So if you launch in the direction of rotation, you need 1000 mph added to your satelite, or 1000mpi less in required orbital velocity. Same thing as Jzero said.
 


<< The earth spins at a thousand miles per hour at the equator. Since, by the way the equator is 24,000 miles long it takes 24 hours to go around once. Coincidentally that's how long a day is. >>

Sumanabeech!
I learn something every day!! 🙂
 


<< Who is jack? >>


You of all people should know who Jack is! 🙂

I once heard a speaker joke that next time someone says "Why are you sitting there doing nothing?" Just say "I'm quite busy rotating at 1000 MPH, thank you!"
 
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