Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Magnum44

“One of the compromises when we brought the Russians aboard ISS construction in the 90’s.”

I had no idea. So the Russians wanted the high inclination so it would fly over their territory?


41 posted on 06/05/2024 9:23:35 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward Snowden)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]


To: ProtectOurFreedom

It has to do with the launch latitude. You get the best performance of a launch vehicle by using the rotation of the Earth to assist in getting to orbit (launch East as the Earth rotates). Its more costly to launch into a lower inclination or a higher inclination. Florida launches are at 28 degrees latitude. Russia launches from higher latitude (~48 degrees). So the joint design when Russia was welcomed in after the USSR dissolved was the higher latitude to accommodate them better. Lots of other trades that play into that (safe launch directions for range safety, science goals, etc) but this was one of them.


42 posted on 06/05/2024 9:34:18 AM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson