[Celebur]

>For the same reason that airplanes take off into the wind.
>
>Because it is still the relative rotation that drives the energy requirements and launching east is like 'taking off into the wind'.


Nice to see you finally admit that the Earth's rotation is an important factor in Earth-to-orbit intercepts.

BTW, a fixed coordinate system centered on Earth is NOT the same as a fixed-Earth coordinate system. The latter would be a geocentric model, and it wouldn't work for calculating Earth-to-orbit intercepts, but the former, when allowing the Earth to rotate within the fixed coordinates, in fact is a useful model for such calculations.

Big, big, BIG difference. Huge! Your previous insistence that Earth rotation is not used in such calculations followed by your current attempt to change your position demonstrates your dishonesty in this discussion.

[GourmetDan]

"BTW, a fixed coordinate system centered on Earth is NOT the same as a fixed-Earth coordinate system. The latter would be a geocentric model, and it wouldn't work for calculating Earth-to-orbit intercepts, but the former, when allowing the Earth to rotate within the fixed coordinates, in fact is a useful model for such calculations.

Big, big, BIG difference. Huge!

Ok, so what is the big, big, BIG, Huge! difference?