I couldn’t believe it until I found this diagram that explains to me how the booster can launch a trajectory over the Atlantic and still come back to Cape Canaveral.
I visualize the rotation of the Earth is sliding the whole diagram from left to right across my screen. The first burn propels the rocket east over the Atlantic. The second burn at altitude scrubs off speed, and the Earth moving to the right catches up with the booster. The third and fourth burns make the landing.
I couldn’t believe it until I found this diagram that explains to me how the booster can launch a trajectory over the Atlantic and still come back to Cape Canaveral.
I visualize the rotation of the Earth is sliding the whole diagram from left to right across my screen. The first burn propels the rocket east over the Atlantic. The second burn at altitude scrubs off speed, and the Earth moving to the right catches up with the booster. The third and fourth burns make the landing.
Pretty cool.
Oh that is cool. Thanks Dave.