News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on New Zealand startup successfully launches rocket.

Re:New Zealand startup successfully launches rocket by sapphire_tomb on Monday January 22, 2018 @06:28AM (#16203549)
Does anyone have a decent "Explain like I'm five" explanation for their choice of launch site? My (admittedly layman) understanding of rocket launching was the being near the equator was good, because you pick up a tonne of free velocity that way, and this launch site seems very far south to me.

Edit: Punctuation

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:New Zealand startup successfully launches rocket by arctor_bob on Monday January 22, 2018 @07:00AM (#16203729)
A)being close to equator helps but not dramatically, logistics are still more important B)few satellites are actually launched to an equatorial orbit, most of the time you want an inclined or a polar one. If you want your orbit to have around 40 degree inclination NZ is perfect.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:New Zealand startup successfully launches rocket by sapphire_tomb on Monday January 22, 2018 @07:42AM (#16203928)
Thank you, clearly I need to read up on this a bit more!
[ Parent | on HN ]