Author Topic: Why Wallops?  (Read 4170 times)

Offline BazBear

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Why Wallops?
« on: July 06, 2014, 11:28:21 AM »
Why is Wallops being used for so many orbital launches lately? Is it cheaper even though they lose the extra Earth rotational energy they'd get from a FL launch? Or are the Canaveral LCs heavily booked? Or both? Or am I missing something else.
"It's true you know. In space, no one can hear you scream like a little girl." - Mark Watney, protagonist of The Martian by Andy Weir

Offline scooter

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Re: Why Wallops?
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2014, 09:35:35 PM »
Not up on the orbital mechanics, but...

Would the higher latitude of VA give them any advantage going to the high inclination of the station?

Offline gwiz

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Re: Why Wallops?
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2014, 04:51:20 AM »
You don't lose anything compared with a low-latitude launch site if the orbit has a higher inclination that the site latitude.  I'd guess the main attraction is the added flexibility given by not having to compete for range resources with other launch providers.  For instance, if you have a short delay, you don't have to worry about it becoming a much longer delay through impinging on the next booked slot.
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