When I said 'change' I was speaking of the need for the shuttle to change from it's natural low-inclination orbit to the ISS high-inclination orbit. Not that it needs to change once it gets into orbit.
"For a spacecraft to achieve Earth orbit, it must be launched to an elevation above the Earth's atmosphere and accelerated to orbital velocity. The most energy efficient orbit, that is one that requires the least amount of propellant, is a direct low inclination orbit. To achieve such an orbit, a spacecraft is launched in an eastward direction from a site near the Earth's equator. "
"Launching a spacecraft in a direction other than east, or from a site far from the equator, results in an orbit of higher inclination. High inclination orbits are less able to take advantage of the initial speed provided by the Earth's rotation, thus the launch vehicle must provide a greater part, or all, of the energy required to attain orbital velocity."
This is what the shuttle must do, launch in a direction other than due east, *changing* it's natural orbital inclination. Were the shuttle to launch into its natural low-inclination orbit, it would 'gain more' from the relative rotation than a craft launched from Baikonur, which is further north. It is the need to launch in a direction other than due east to reach the 56 deg inclination that is the key, as Cape Canaveral is further south than Baikonur and therefore gains more from relative rotation, not less. http://www.braeunig.us/space/orbmech.htm
Ummm... No... There is no "natural" orbit inclination. It is inclined or it's not.
Again, how does a rotating universe explain a polar satellite ground track? BTW, ever hear of siderial time -vs- mean solar?
> To achieve such an orbit, a spacecraft is launched in an eastward direction from a site near the Earth's equator. "
Tell me: why east?
> This is what the shuttle must do, launch in a direction other than due east, *changing* it's natural orbital inclination.
With a non-rotating Earth, there is no such "natural orbital inclination." If the Earth did not rotate, it could launch straight north from KSC and be in a polar orbit just as easily as it could launch east, south or west.
> High inclination orbits are less able to take advantage of the initial speed provided by the Earth's rotation, thus the launch vehicle must provide a greater part, or all, of the energy required to attain orbital velocity."
One wonders if you read what you post.