Editing Spaceport (section)

== Location ==
Rockets can most easily reach satellite orbits if launched near the [[equator]] in an easterly direction, as this maximizes use of the [[Earth's rotation]]al speed (465&nbsp;m/s at the equator). Such launches also provide a desirable orientation for arriving at a [[geostationary orbit]]. For [[polar orbit]]s and [[Molniya orbit]]s this does not apply.

In principle, advantages of high altitude launch are reduced vertical distance to travel and a thinner atmosphere for the rocket to penetrate. However, altitude of the launch site is not a driving factor in spaceport placement because most of the [[delta-v]] for a launch is spent on achieving the required horizontal [[orbital speed]]. The small gain from a few kilometers of extra altitude does not usually off-set the logistical costs of ground transport in mountainous terrain.

Many spaceports have been placed at existing military installations, such as [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] ranges, which are not always physically ideal sites for launch.

A rocket launch site is built as far as possible away from major population centers in order to not inconvenience their inhabitants with [[noise pollution]] and other undesired industrial activity, as well as mitigate risk to bystanders should a rocket experience a catastrophic failure. In many cases a launch site is built close to major bodies of water to ensure that no components are shed over populated areas, be it by staging or an in-flight failure. Typically a spaceport site is large enough that, should a vehicle explode, it will not endanger human lives or adjacent launch pads.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.overlookpress.com/categories/spaceport-earth-the-reinvention-of-spaceflight.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150228/http://www.overlookpress.com/categories/spaceport-earth-the-reinvention-of-spaceflight.html |url-status=dead |title=Overlookpress.com|archive-date=13 January 2018|website=www.overlookpress.com}}</ref>

Planned sites of spaceports for [[Sub-orbital spaceflight|sub-orbital]] tourist spaceflight often make use of existing ground infrastructure, including runways. The nature of the local view from {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}} altitude is also a factor to consider.