Geography of Launch Sites

[Boxy]

Theoretically, one obtains some cost-efficiency by launching rockets closer to the equator. In fact, there's an estimated 25% fuel efficiency savings as launched from France's Guiana Space Centre or Brazil's Alcantara Launch Center.

Seeing as how launch costs are the largest factor in orbital infrastructure investments, wouldn't it make sense to build spaceports along the equator? Shouldn't future investments be made along these lines? What think you, gentle Earthlings?

[Rhyshaelkan]

Especially after the first windfall from asteroid mining or after a Lunar base starts to export and become financially "in the black". An organization might look to merge with the rocket suppliers. Buy it own land on which to build rocket facilities.

Acceptable locations along the equator could include South America and Africa. Both locations would involve building infrastructure. Almost carving out your own nation "we have to keep the peace and protect our investment".

Ecuador is possible but would be worse off than Brazil when it comes to deforestation and annihilating species from this planet. Quite possible to negotiate with Brazil. Even using ridiculous wealth to buy large swaths of farmland and return it to jungle if you are ecologically minded.

Once again these are areas of quasi-law and order. Your company/organisation/investment group might have to establish your own area of control through the might of arms and infrastructure.

[Sam Fraser]

Yes, I've always thought Nauru was a logical choice:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauru

It doesn't seem to be good for anything else, having its interior gutted by phosphate mining and unemployment standing at 90%. Possibly too small.