Question

The NASA “Vomit Comet” is in a maximum performance 55 degree pitch angle climb in preparation
to conduct weightless operations at high altitude. Assume that the engines produce forward thrust
in-line with the longitudinal axis of the plane.
a. At this pitch angle what % of the engine thrust is in the vertical direction?
b. What % of the engine thrust is in the horizontal direction? (Keep in mind that, due to the
pythagorean theorem, your two percentages may add up to more than 100%.)
c. If the total engine thrust is 80,000 lb, how much thrust is upward (lb)?
d. Bonus (+5): If the aircraft weighs 300,000 lb, what does this tell you about this aircraft’s ability to
conduct a 90-degree vertical climb?

Answer 1

The answers are in the images. From the last part you can clearly see the reason on <90° pitch angle. Though due this, it needs to cross more distance to reach it's destination, but for this, it requires less amount of thirst as well as fuel.