It’s best near the equator (and starting eastwards) if you want an equatorial orbit because then you get all the rotational energy from earth for free.
But if you want an polar orbit, so 90° to earth’s rotation that passes over north and south pole, you are not just missing out on the free speed but the rotation perpendicular to the direction you are going actually is a problem you need to compensate for with more energy spend. But the further north (or south) to the pole you move for your start the less influence has the earth’s rotation. The perfect scenario here would be a start exactly from the geographic north pole for no interference through earth’s rotation.
It’s best near the equator (and starting eastwards) if you want an equatorial orbit because then you get all the rotational energy from earth for free.
But if you want an polar orbit, so 90° to earth’s rotation that passes over north and south pole, you are not just missing out on the free speed but the rotation perpendicular to the direction you are going actually is a problem you need to compensate for with more energy spend. But the further north (or south) to the pole you move for your start the less influence has the earth’s rotation. The perfect scenario here would be a start exactly from the geographic north pole for no interference through earth’s rotation.
Thanks, I never considered that.