world development and scientific research

  Orbits 'R' Us! The speed of the Earth's rotation from west to east at the equator  is 1675 km/h (1041 mph). The satellite receives a significant boost if it is launched in the same direction as Earth's rotation. It cannot benefit from this boost whether it is launched in the north or south. It also consumes a lot of fuel for the spacecraft's engines to alter the inclination, or tilt, of the satellite's orbit if it is launched toward the east. An orbit around the poles is highly inclined. The function of the satellite will determine which orbit is best. suspension of disbelief For instance, the two GOES* weather satellites are tasked with monitoring the weather across North America. Any developing situation, such as tropical storms forming in the Atlantic Ocean or storm fronts moving across the Pacific Ocean toward the west coast of the United States, must be "never taken their eyes off." They are, therefore "parked" in an orbit know...

  A gas giant is what? A massive planet primarily made of helium and/or hydrogen is referred to as a gas giant. These planets feature swirling gases atop a solid core rather than hard surfaces, similar to Jupiter and Saturn in our solar system. Exoplanets that are gas giants can be far bigger than Jupiter and orbit their stars much more closely than any planets in our solar system. Our knowledge of the formation and evolution of planets for the most of human history was based on the eight (or nine) planets in our solar system. But during the past 25 years, more than 4,000 exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system, have been found, and this has completely transformed everything. Helium and/or hydrogen make up the majority of gas giants in our solar system, such as Jupiter and Saturn. "Hot Jupiters" are gas giants that are located closer to their stars. Within these broad groups is much diversity. For example, hot Jupiters, which are gas giants like Jupiter but orbi...