Hey Mythbusters,
My father and I had a thirty minute car ride discussion about a physics question i just though about. "When a space shuttle releases its booster engines, do they travel upwards for a slight while before descending?"

That question led in to multiple questions which lead to this hopeful future show myth. "Is it possible to pitch to yourself?"

If you were standing in the bed of a moving truck going down the highway (or abandoned air strip), could you throw a baseball at the right velocity and at the right angle towards the direction you are moving to in order for the ball go out beyond the vehicle and come back into your glove, hand, net or whatever you all need in order to make this work? If that is possible, if the truck was moving 50 mph (or whatever velocity you choose), at what velocity and angle would you have to throw the ball in order for this to work perfectly?

Now I know in order to make this work as well as it is working in my head, you would need some kind of pitching machine. Im all for it.

Thank you and I hope this is on a future show!

-Matt

Re: the shuttle engines

The Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) are jettisoned after they've pretty much burnt out. They are basically just a tube full of highly flammable gunk, after all. Nevertheless, there are small engines that are designed to push the SRBs away from the orbiter, just in case they have a little more "kick" in them.

There is some debate about the Ares test last week. Some observers say that the solid rocket first stage made contact with the second stage just after separation, causing it to tumble. NASA says it did not happen, though.

There is a thread around here somewhere on the subject, if you're interested. Try "find".

As for your second question, yes, it could be done. You'd have to compensate for wind and air resistance, and throwing it up at an angle is the only way I could see it working.

Thank you for replying Lokifan, but what if there were no engines to push it away. my question wasn't meant to be in full on reality. Theoretically the engines would move upwards before reaching 0 for their final velocity and they should begin to fall. Now my question was would that really happen? That lead to the pitching to yourself. And I think it would make a great show to see them trying to pitch to themselves.

Motion is relative. if you are in a truck (enclosed) and pitch a ball it would continue just as it would if you were stoped. the only force affecting the ball is gravity so it would just fall. You would have to change your speed relative to the ball after it is thrown. or if you are not doing it in an enclosed truck the wind would slow it down but i dont know if it is enough to get it back to you.

Well see thats what i want to know. Is it possible to speed up enough to catch it. or is there enough wind to get it to come back.