4 ms·
Launching far off the equator makes it more difficult and is therefore a bigger technological achievement.
by fsh 28d ago
Launching far off the equator makes it more difficult and is therefore a bigger technological achievement.
- ButlerianJihad 28d agoThe selection of launch site takes the orbital inclination into account. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit The "Onward and Upward" cube sats were deployed to Sun-synchronous orbits, with a roughly polar inclination. Similarly, launches from USSF Base Vandenberg take a southerly trajectory, so it can be used for orbits like that. Rocket launches from continental Europe have been challenging because of the population centers, and the unpopularity of things exploding over their heads, and falling on their houses and businesses. USA and Russia have some quite ideal sites that avoid flying over populated areas.
- fsh 27d agoYou are still ~500 m/s short compared to launching on an equatorial orbit from the equator.
- ButlerianJihad 27d agoVelocity is a vector, not simply a rate. Launches and orbits are three-dimensional. What would be a great technological achievement would be launching from French Guiana (5.2° N) and then making a plane-change maneuver to achieve a polar orbit (90° inclination). All that bonus eastward velocity from the Earth's rotation would turn into a penalty they'd need to compensate for no reason, when they had a spaceport more suitable for that polar inclination. Try this related concept: https://youtu.be/sod3ofdUYTw?si=U7dz_LcRQ0M44tAU https://youtu.be/sod3ofdUYTw?si=U7dz_LcRQ0M44tAU And the spherical cow jumps frictionlessly over the Moon!