The countdown is more like a warning. The launch time is set, and if you want to get into certain orbit, you need to obey it.(Especially when you need to go somewhere further than the Low Earth orbit)
The launch itself is actually somewhat automatic even without the countdown and the pressing of the button.
The contents of Someone’s comment doesn’t seem like information that could easily be deduced without specific knowledge about the launching of rockets into space. A person who is ignorant of such things wouldn’t be able to know if it’s automated or not.
Kinda what someone said. Do you have any idea how fast a planet moves? Earth travels about a 1/4 mile or about 1/2 kilometer every second. The difference in fuel for being 15 seconds late at launch could be valued at over a million dollars due to being out of position. Keep in mind that space agencies tend to calculate out the landing times to within a few seconds difference, accounting for gravity, travel times, rate of mass loss from fuel burning, and things like that. Being even off by a tiny amount tends to result in undesired effects. Like death. Usually not, though, but it can be an amazingly big deal to be off by even a few seconds, hence why the timing’s so important. The countdown itself, however, is mostly just for show. For example, if you’re anywhere near the part of the rocket that’s facing at the ground at 60 seconds, you’re not going to be making it out of the kill zone in that time. =P Yes, I know, that’s not what the countdown’s for, but that’s WHY it’s not for that!
I like how the countdown is continuous in all 4 panels.
Also, County McBackwards also reminds me of The Count in Sesame street.
Oh God, imagine how long that would take.
Fifty-nine! Bwa ha ha…
Fifty-eight! Bwa ha ha…
Fifty-seven! Bwa ha ha…
The nice thing is that you get a good amount of escape time before the sobbing commences.
The countdown is more like a warning. The launch time is set, and if you want to get into certain orbit, you need to obey it.(Especially when you need to go somewhere further than the Low Earth orbit)
The launch itself is actually somewhat automatic even without the countdown and the pressing of the button.
Thank you, Captain Obvious!
No need to be snide, his comment was actually somewhat enlightening, I hadn’t considered why the countdown actually existed til I read it.
The contents of Someone’s comment doesn’t seem like information that could easily be deduced without specific knowledge about the launching of rockets into space. A person who is ignorant of such things wouldn’t be able to know if it’s automated or not.
I AM Captain Obvious, and proud to be one.
ladling out bits of tasty information is a thankless job but, Someone has to do it, yeah?
And I am that Someone, lame pun but works
More like an obvious pun.
Yeah, sorry about that one.
That information is far from obvious.
Kinda what someone said. Do you have any idea how fast a planet moves? Earth travels about a 1/4 mile or about 1/2 kilometer every second. The difference in fuel for being 15 seconds late at launch could be valued at over a million dollars due to being out of position. Keep in mind that space agencies tend to calculate out the landing times to within a few seconds difference, accounting for gravity, travel times, rate of mass loss from fuel burning, and things like that. Being even off by a tiny amount tends to result in undesired effects. Like death. Usually not, though, but it can be an amazingly big deal to be off by even a few seconds, hence why the timing’s so important. The countdown itself, however, is mostly just for show. For example, if you’re anywhere near the part of the rocket that’s facing at the ground at 60 seconds, you’re not going to be making it out of the kill zone in that time. =P Yes, I know, that’s not what the countdown’s for, but that’s WHY it’s not for that!
My son loves count downs more than anything. I guess that is the difference between being a grown-up and being 3.
“Counting is a lot of fun if you are under four.
Try again in thirty years, it’s not so fun no more.”
WHO doesn’t do countdowns before launching themselves at Burger King? Is it just me…? Aw, maaaaan!
I don’t do countdowns before Burger King, because BK’s not as good as Checkers, although my countdowns for that are more like 54321GO!
Bug has a strangely determined look on his face as he speeds (ever so diligently) towards the local BKs there…
I like the fade to silent countdown of live TV —
Back on air in 3, 2, (one)…
I like the countdowns before the start of really old films. I don’t know why, but I always have.
x2
<blockquote cite="Gorm" I love you now. Adam buxton ftw!
The countdowns are to increase suspense.