4 ms·

Is latitude the only prerequisite for a good launch location?

• giantrobot 3y ago
  When doing eastbound launches the rotation of the Earth gives you some free starting velocity. This free velocity is higher the closer you are to the equator. Also helpful in eastward launches is ocean to the east of the launch site. If something goes wrong and your rocket crashes the debris is likely to hit uninhabited water rather than a suburb. The bonus velocity you get for launching further south can end up increasing payload mass by significant percentages or giving a smaller mass more velocity to achieve higher orbits with the same amount of fuel.
• jtriangle 3y ago
  Latitude and also having ocean to the east so if something goes wrong, you can abort and not worry about debris falling on people.