Banana Orbits: Why Rockets Curve East to Reach Orbit
Rockets don’t fly straight; they perform a gravity turn, curving eastward along a brachistochrone-like path to gain speed with minimal fuel. This tilt helps rockets reach orbit by balancing thrust and gravity as they travel downrange, taking advantage of Earth’s rotation—especially near the equator—to maximize boost. Suborbital flights go up and back down, but orbital missions require a stable, perpetual fall around Earth, achieved by maintaining the right downrange velocity and trajectory.