On 21/07/2011 4:00 PM, George Roberts wrote: >> http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=5603 > > Wow, rick, nice find! To summarize the above thread there are 2 more > reasons why ascending is better. > 1) Noctilucent clouds are more prominent further north and nasa was > concerned about the ice particles possibly causing damage at mach 25 > although it sounds like further research has deemed it safe for the shuttle > but nasa probably didn't feel a strong need to change their policy. > 2) More fuel is needed for descending path or alternatively higher insertion > angle accuracy is needed. > Also wouldn't initial contact with the atmosphere occur at a higher altitude when nearer the Equator because of the increase in the pressure gradiant at lower altitudes. Larry wood _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l
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