Why Are Satellite Launch Pads Located on East Coast?

[whoelsebutme]

I have a question... it may seem like a very basic one, but still I am not able to answer this.

"Why all satellite launch pads are located on east coast"?

I can understand why satellite neeeds to be launhed in eastward direction, but when I tried to correlate these two together, I was told that still something is missing.

May be someone of you here can tell the correct answer.

Thanks.

 

[russ_watters]

I'm not sure if they launch satellites from White Sands or not, but anyway, the reason NASA's launch facility is on the east coast of Florida is safety: the rockets fly out over the ocean instead of over populated areas.

 

[sir-pinski]

The primary reason for satellite launch pads being located on the east coast is due to the Earth's rotation. The Earth rotates from west to east, and launching a satellite in the same direction as the Earth's rotation can provide a significant boost in speed and reduce the amount of fuel needed for the launch. This is known as the "orbital boost" or "rotational velocity advantage."

Additionally, the east coast of the United States is closer to the equator compared to the west coast. This means that the Earth's rotation is faster at the equator, providing an even greater boost in speed for satellite launches.

Furthermore, the east coast also offers a larger area of open ocean for rocket debris to fall into, reducing the risk of damage to populated areas.

There are also logistical reasons for launching satellites from the east coast. The east coast has a well-developed network of transportation, communication, and support infrastructure, making it easier to transport and assemble the necessary equipment and personnel for a launch.

Overall, the combination of the Earth's rotation, proximity to the equator, and logistical advantages make the east coast an ideal location for satellite launch pads. However, there are also launch sites on the west coast and in other countries, providing a variety of options for satellite launches.