All
space shuttles launch from Cape Canaveral on Florida’s eastern
coast. The Cape, a strip of marsh and sand midway between Jacksonville
and Miami, is ideal for launches and landings because of its open
spaces and year-round mild weather.
From this latitude, the earth’s rotational
speed adds 600 mph to the shuttle’s eventual orbital speed
of about 17,500 mph (28,164 km/h). This is fast enough to circle
the earth in 90 minutes, enabling the crew to enjoy a sunrise
or sunset every 45 minutes!
