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Given it's size, I find it strange it doesn't have launch locations like the US. Why is that the case - latitude? Population density.
by anonymousDan 3y ago
Given it's size, I find it strange it doesn't have launch locations like the US. Why is that the case - latitude? Population density.
- jnurmine 3y agoMainland EU's first orbital launch site was inaugurated in January 2023. It is located at Esrange, in Kiruna, high up north in Sweden. The Themis program ("reusable space launcher demonstrator") will actually do some of their tests there. I wonder how much of the "lag" in European space launcher innovation is due to the logistics of having to haul everything half a planet away to Kourou over an ocean for the actual launches. Hopefully having a mainland facility will improve things.
- fhars 3y agoLatitude. Gibraltar is on the same latitude as North Carolina. Most of the suitable locations are in French Guayana, where the ESA launch site actually happens to be located.
- panick21_ 3y agoBecause you have to launch West and West of Europe there is mostly land. For polar launches Europe is positioned just fine. It makes more sense to use French colonies in South America. Those are perfectly positioned.