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tamousfleck
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I have a basic understanding of the escape velocity principles when it comes to an object lacking propulsion such as a bullet or a baseball. If the projectiles speed is not equal to 11.2km/s (or whatever EV equals with atmosphere), then the projectile will return toward Earth's center of mass, etc...
My question is what about a system with propulsion? Would it be possible to have a rocket travel into outer space if it were programmed to accelerate to a velocity lower than 11.2km/s (say 50-500m/s) and then merely maintain that speed until it reached outer space.
It seems simple enough that as long as force A is greater than force B, then the object would continue to move in direction A, but does the atmosphere get in the way or something practical like fuel limitations make it close to impossible? or is it merely that simple?
I also realize another possibility is that I'm just getting confused with the way orbit might differ from just going to outer space. 99% of the time when leaving Earth's atmosphere is discussed, sending an object into orbit is the reason and so that may be why escape velocity seems to be so important in all things space program related. But to just send something in the direction of the moon, Mars or Mercury... velocity may not be important at all, just force.
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Where's the math that says ∞! is bigger than God's nose hair?
My question is what about a system with propulsion? Would it be possible to have a rocket travel into outer space if it were programmed to accelerate to a velocity lower than 11.2km/s (say 50-500m/s) and then merely maintain that speed until it reached outer space.
It seems simple enough that as long as force A is greater than force B, then the object would continue to move in direction A, but does the atmosphere get in the way or something practical like fuel limitations make it close to impossible? or is it merely that simple?
I also realize another possibility is that I'm just getting confused with the way orbit might differ from just going to outer space. 99% of the time when leaving Earth's atmosphere is discussed, sending an object into orbit is the reason and so that may be why escape velocity seems to be so important in all things space program related. But to just send something in the direction of the moon, Mars or Mercury... velocity may not be important at all, just force.
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Where's the math that says ∞! is bigger than God's nose hair?
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