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I understand the basic argument for an eastward launch: a rocket starts with some velocity from Earth's rotation instead of having to produce all of it with its engines. That makes an equatorial launch site sound like the obvious choice.
But Earth-observation missions often head into polar or near-polar orbits, and launch sites far from the equator are still useful. I am missing how the destination orbit changes the calculation.
Where does the eastward advantage stop helping?
- How does launch site latitude limit the orbital inclinations a rocket can reach directly?
- For polar and Sun-synchronous orbits, what happens to the eastward velocity the rocket already has?
- How much do safe flight paths over oceans influence launch direction compared with fuel efficiency?
Could someone explain the trade-off using an equatorial communications mission and a near-polar imaging mission? I am looking for the orbital mechanics rather than a ranking of launch sites.
