Yes, what is called &quot;gravity turn&quot; turns the velocity vector, but if the rocket didn&#x27;t actively reorient itself (so as to keep in line with the velocity vector), gravity itself wouldn&#x27;t rotate the rocket (change its attitude), because almost-homogeneous gravity field won&#x27;t impart (meaningful) momentum. (Satellites can actually use it that way, but the time constants are substantial and not really relevant for an ascending rocket on a timescale of minutes.)<p>However, this is independent of the presence of the atmosphere. In real life, both scenarios need active control of attitude.