Britain announced today

A quick read-through tells me (in my opinion anyway), there's no harm done. Just keep things on topic or this thread will be locked.

Seanie.

The UK is unsuitable,not because of the weather, but because it is too far from the equator.

Can you explain to me the importance of being close to the equator, if weather is not the issue.

Shorter distance to travel through atmosphere to gain synchronised orbit?

Can you explain to me the importance of being close to the equator, if weather is not the issue.

Shorter distance to travel through atmosphere to gain synchronised orbit?

In a way, you answered your own question PJ. The closer to the equator means less fuel to achieve a decent orbit. It is better to launch rockets closer to the equator because the Earth rotates at a greater speed at 0 degrees than that at either pole. This extra speed at the equator means a rocket needs less thrust (and therefore less fuel) to launch into orbit.

The closer to the equator means less fuel to achieve a decent orbit.

Thats what i was thinking.