Half a World Away

There are two main countries that I have lived in: USA and Japan. So, when I think of someone being half a world away, one of the first thoughts I have is that the person is in a timezone half a day away.

Now, an interesting concept is that a person half-a-world away could be in the same timezone. That makes me feel better. And, knowing that the Internet connects us is another perk.

Question: Space Shuttles

When space shuttles launch, the seem to be making a large arc (not going up straight). So, my first question was, why don't the space shuttles go straight up? Then, I thought, maybe it is going straight up... Maybe it is just us on Earth that is rotating away...