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Why do the vast majority of satellites go generally from west to east and very rarely?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Earth's rotation is from west to east. When launching satellites, it's more convenient to launch in the same direction, to take advantage of this initial impulse, and thus save energy - since the satellite must have a certain speed in order to orbit Earth. To have a satellite from east to west would require an additional speed (with respect to Earth's surface) of twice the speed of Earth's rotation, which is about 1600 km/hour at the equator.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
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Are most locations in Europe east or west longitude?
The majority of Europe is located east of the Prime Meridian.
How does weather generally moves?
east to west
Why are satellites launched into a easterly direction?
Most satellites are launched to the east to utilize the earth's rotation as an extra propelling force. The earth is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from the North Pole (from west to east), and when we launch our satellites east we take advantage of this momentum (angular momentum) from the earth's rotation. In effect, a rocket sitting still on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral is ALREADY GOING EAST, at about 800 miles per hour! On the other hand, if we launch them westward, the satellites will have to fight against the angular momentum of the earth's rotation, which means more power is needed to break through the earth's atmosphere. As many of us might not have noticed, we are moving at a breathtaking speed just by standing still (about 1000miles/hour at the equator, and decreasing with increasing latitude) when viewed from outer space. Launching our satellites eastward will harvest this power and save on fuel cost, and in space shuttle terms, that's a lot of money! However, not ALL satellites are launched to the east; some are launched to the south. Some relatively small percentage of satellites are launched into polar orbits so that they orbit the Earth from south to north, and then north to south. The Earth spins west to east, so that the effective ground path of the satellite is covers the Earth like a ball of twine. American satellites launched into polar orbits are often launched from Vandenberg AFB in California, where a launch to the south keeps the rocket over water for several thousand miles.
Can satellites orbit east to west around the earth?
Yes. The reason they normally don't is a question of energy (or cost). Since the Earth turns west to east you would have to overcome that component and THEN get up to orbital speed.
Can fronts generally move from east to west in the US?
Yes
Why satellites launched in east side?
Satellites are launched in east direction to use earths rotational velocity and to reduce launch energy.
How the soviet union established satellites in East Germany?
Since satellites are in space, and no one has ownership of space, as long as a satellite's orbital takes it over Germany, anyone can have satellites over them.
What horizon are vegetation roots rarely found in?
East
When was the first indication of unrest in the soviet satellites of eastern Europe?
1953 in East of Germany
Where is the majority of Muslims locate?
Middle East
Is South America east or west of eighty degrees west longitude?
The vast majority is east
What is the climate of southern east Africa?
warm mostly dry and rarely cold
What ethnicity are most ballerinas?
The majority are caucasian or east-asian.
What is the majority of islands east of Australia known as?
New Zealand
Are most locations in Europe east or west longitude?
The majority of Europe is located east of the Prime Meridian.
Does air masses generally travel from east to west?
No...from west to east across the USA
Do California winds generally blow from east to west?
No, it blows from west to east.
