Why Don’t Rockets Go Straight Up

Why are rockets not launched vertically?

Q: Why are rockets launched at an arc rather than straight vertically? To get into orbit. If you launch a rocket straight up, it will fall straight back down.

Do rockets ever launch straight up?

A gravity turn is commonly used with rocket powered vehicles that launch vertically, like the Space Shuttle. The rocket begins by flying straight up, gaining both vertical speed and altitude. During this portion of the launch, gravity acts directly against the thrust of the rocket, lowering its vertical acceleration.