[between_the_lines_mn]

The best place to launch a satellite is from the equator, and Russia doesn’t have any land based launch sites that far south. I remember reading about this several years ago.

Low earth orbit is about 8 Km/sec. If you launch from latitude 45 degrees, your initial orbit has an inclination of 45 degrees. When your rocket crosses the equator you need to have a burn to change your inclination to 0 degrees. From 45 to 0 degrees takes 6 Km/sec of delta V. So from the equator it takes 8 Km/sec, and from 45 degrees it takes 14 Km/sec. That is 75% more energy to lift the same amount of stuff...

[jag.drafting]

excellent response, Thank you.

[rktman]

SEALAUNCH. How much business does SEALAUNCH do these days? As for the destroyed rocket, I wonder if the sat is still sitting someplace being scrutinized and all that was lost was the rocket. CONSPIRACY ALERT!!!! LOL!

[wheresmyusa]

Thanks to Martin Schweiger and his excellent simulator Orbiter, I understood every bit of what you said. Good post! =D

[Conservative4Ever]

OK with what you wrote...made my head hurt...wouldn’t a bigger rubber band work? Just askin’.

[Kenny Bunk]

...launch a satellite ... from the equator,

Vive la France. They have impressive facilities in French Guiana. (Remember Devil's Island?) How come they ain't doing the deal. BTW, the food is fabulous there.