Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Elderberry

An equatorial launch complex offers the opportunity to decrease the amount of fuel the rockets need to reach geosynchronous orbits — often the preferred location for satellites — by as much as 20 percent or more, lowering the cost of each launch. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Vector are interested in the cost savings Alcantara may offer to launch satellites.

...

Rocket fuel is cheap compared to the cost of the rocket, much less than 20%. And then there is the cost and time to transport the rocket to Brazil.


11 posted on 02/23/2018 2:13:53 PM PST by Moonman62 (Make America Great Again!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Moonman62
Rocket fuel is cheap compared to the cost of the rocket, much less than 20%. And then there is the cost and time to transport the rocket to Brazil.

The issue is not the cost of the fuel, the issue is that you can put a bigger payload up with the same rocket if you launch from the equator. Transporting the rocket to Brazil is cheap when the alternative is using a bigger rocket.

13 posted on 02/23/2018 3:15:17 PM PST by Campion (Halten Sie sich unbedingt an die Lehre!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


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