To: DuncanWaring; GeronL
Why closer to the equator?
8 posted on
04/21/2013 9:54:26 AM PDT by
Gabz
(Democrats for Voldemort.)
To: Gabz
takes less fuel to reach space/orbit from the equator, thinner atmosphere I think
9 posted on
04/21/2013 9:55:54 AM PDT by
GeronL
(http://asspos.blogspot.com)
To: Gabz; GeronL
Launching from the equator into a nominally east-west orbit lets the rocket take advantage of the earth’s rotational velocity (roughly 1000 mph at the equator) in getting to orbital velocity.
Launching from Wallops (37 degrees North latitude) gives only about 80% of that.
14 posted on
04/21/2013 10:12:42 AM PDT by
DuncanWaring
(The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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