Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Shuttle Rolling and Throttle Back
Message-ID: <1988Sep21.044748.11263@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <118@avatar.UUCP> <6400003@cpe> <1988Sep18.221312.25810@utzoo.uucp> <1560@eos.UUCP> <1330@thumper.bellcore.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 88 04:47:48 GMT

In article <1330@thumper.bellcore.com> karn@thumper.bellcore.com (Phil R. Karn) writes:
>Recall that in the case of the Shuttle, the degree to which it rolls after
>liftoff depends on the launch azimuth (which depends on the orbital
>inclination). If you did the orientation before liftoff you'd need a
>rotatable launch platform!

Why not?  That's what the Chinese do for Long March.  What's more, the
rotation is done by a couple of husky soldiers turning cranks!  (Although
the overall image is slightly spoiled by the laser measuring widget used
by the engineer who gives them orders.)  It launches things just fine...
"Roll maneuvers?  We don't need no steenking roll maneuvers!"  :-) :-)
-- 
NASA is into artificial        |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
stupidity.  - Jerry Pournelle  | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu