answersLogoWhite

0

The vast majority of artificial satellites orbit in a counter-clockwise direction from the perspective of an observer high above the north pole. That's the same way as the Earth's rotation.

There's a reason for that. Near the equator, the rotational speed of the Earth's surface is over 1000 miles per hour. In order to reach low earth orbit, a satellite must be accelerated to a little over 18,000 miles per hour. So from the perspective of the rocket scientist, his satellite is already going 1,000 miles per hour before he ever launches it; only 17,000 MPH to go!

Launched the other way, east to west, it takes 1000 MPH of rocket fuel just to get the satellite to STAND STILL, and you still have to boost it to 18000 MPH to reach orbit.

Of the ones that aren't fired CCW, most of them are launched into polar orbits that pass over the north and south poles (or pretty close to it).

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the difference between earth's rotation and facing time?

by the earths rotation around the sun and the pattern in day and night and how the earth moves and how the earth revolves and rotate around the sun.


Are the earths spin axis and rotation axis the same thing?

Yes. When we're talking about the Earth, 'spin' and 'rotate' are the same thing.


When the paths of wind and ocean currents seem to curve because of the earths rotation is called?

It's called the 'Coriolis effect'. In the northern hemisphere, they rotate clockwise. South of the equator, they rotate counter-clockwise.


When the paths of winds and ocean currents seem to curve because of the earths rotation is called the?

It's called the 'Coriolis effect'. In the northern hemisphere, they rotate clockwise. South of the equator, they rotate counter-clockwise.


When the paths of winds and ocean currents seem to curve because of the earths rotation's called the?

It's called the 'Coriolis effect'. In the northern hemisphere, they rotate clockwise. South of the equator, they rotate counter-clockwise.


When the paths of wind and ocean currents seem to curve because of the earths rotation is called the?

It's called the 'Coriolis effect'. In the northern hemisphere, they rotate clockwise. South of the equator, they rotate counter-clockwise.


What appears to revolve around Polaris due to earth's rotation?

Due to the vast distance between the earth and polaris, the earths axis of rotation essentially lines up with polaris at all times, so when the stars are visible, and viewed from the north pole, the earths rotation causes the stars to appear to rotate around polaris.


Does the earth rotate like the other planets?

Yes the Earth does rotate like the other planets (except for the distance of the rotation(assuming your talking about the rotation around the Sun); the wobble of the Earths axis compared to other planets; and the time it takes to rotate)


What is it called when the paths of winds and ocean currents seem to curve because of the earths rotation?

It's called the 'Coriolis effect'. In the northern hemisphere, they rotate clockwise. South of the equator, they rotate counter-clockwise.


What is a rotation in volley ball?

Rotation - when the player rotate to serve.


What is the verb for rotation?

The verb for rotation is rotate.Other verbs which depend on the tense you are writing in, are rotates, rotating and rotated.Some example sentences are:"I will rotate this wheel"."The planet rotates"."They are rotating the shifts"."It was rotated".


What is the adjective for rotation?

The word revolve (to go around, as in circles) can mean to turn, spin, or rotate. (*For planets, "revolve" is used to mean orbiting around a larger body, while "rotate" is used for the spin of the body itself.)