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Old February 6th 08, 05:58 PM posted to rec.aviation.piloting
Robert M. Gary
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Posts: 2,767
Default Why airplanes taxi

On Feb 6, 9:24*am, Mxsmanic wrote:
writes:
Fixed-wing aircraft taxi because their wheels reduce friction as they
move forward on the ground.


So, logically, spacecraft in the frictionless environment of outer space
should immediately accelerate to the speed of light.


No, it still takes energy to accelerate a mass, even in a frictionless
environment. However, it would not take energy to maintain velocity in
a friction free environment. However, space (especially near space) is
not frictionless.

-Robert