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QUESTION:
Why must the shuttle be launched vertically?
ANSWER from Ed Mango on April 3, 1998:
The answer is in the physics. In order to get an object to orbit the earth, it must be travelling at over 17,000 mph. Using today's technology, the only way to generate enough energy to get the shuttle to orbit is with engines that are more powerful then jet engines. Those engines use fuels like liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen and solid fuels like in a bottle rocket. The Space Shuttle generates about 6,000,000 pounds of energy (thrust) to get the orbiter to orbit at the right speed. There are no known wheels, tires or runways that can handle that much energy. So, we designed the shuttle to launch vertically.
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