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Why Does a Rocket Need to Roll Going Into Orbit?

The Vintage Space

Season 1Episode 1Aired 2016-07-01
Why Does a Rocket Need to Roll Going Into Orbit?

Why Does a Rocket Need to Roll Going Into Orbit?

Following launch rockets normally pitch to the east to reach orbit taking advantage of their motion gained for the rotation of the Earth thus saving fuel. But for moon launches the rotation of the Earth is not aligned with the orbit of the moon so the rock rolls to align with the moon's orbit before pitching over.