Ok orbitee, why would it use less energy? You would use the same force to escape the gravitational Feild. In other words, it doesn't matter which direction you use, the radius is the same if the earth was a sphere. Draw a circle and then draw a line from the center of the circle and draw one vertically. You will notice the lines are the same size, and would have to escape the same gravitational resistance. Remember, gravity pulls at the center, so going horizontal after a vertical creates more distance to escape thus using more energy.
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 52907654 You don't escape the gravitational field. You get high enough so that air friction is not a problem and fast enough horizontally so gravity pulls you around in an orbit instead of back down.
There is nearly the same amount of gravity pulling on you in low-Earth orbit as there is on the ground but it pulls you around the planet in an orbit.
You need the same orbital velocity at the end. If you go straight up then sideways it is a longer path.
If you go at an angle not only is it a shorter path overall but you also gain a boost from the rotation of the Earth when launching towards the East.
Explained a different way. You need a high horizontal speed to maintain an orbit (around 17,000-18,000 mph). That would be motion in the x direction. You also need altitude. That would be motion in the y direction. To get to 10,10 on an x,y grid from 0,0 which is shorter? Going vertical up 10 units and then horizontal 10 units or taking an angled path?
Or you need to get to a point 10 miles north and 10 miles east of your house. Which path is quicker? Going 10 miles north then 10 miles east or taking a path to the North-East?
