I've just watched the live CYGNSS launch, and I'm wondering why there was so much unpowered coasting between stage 2 burnout and stage 3 ignition? The vehicle was not yet in orbit, so presumably it was losing velocity from stage 2?
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1$\begingroup$ Possible duplicate: space.stackexchange.com/q/4187/58 $\endgroup$– called2voyage ♦Commented Dec 15, 2016 at 14:34
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1$\begingroup$ And from links within, a gravity turn, which I think suitably answers the question. $\endgroup$– slartibartfastCommented Dec 15, 2016 at 14:36
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2$\begingroup$ We'll wait on someone to confirm that this is indeed the case for CYGNSS before closing your question as a duplicate. $\endgroup$– called2voyage ♦Commented Dec 15, 2016 at 14:39
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$\begingroup$ With solids, the only easy engine control is coast time. Based on actual data, the control system can adjust the coast time between stages to ensure the insertion orbit is optimal. $\endgroup$– tl8Commented Dec 16, 2016 at 6:11
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$\begingroup$ @PearsonArtPhoto ditto $\endgroup$– uhohCommented Mar 26, 2019 at 17:30
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