Why Rockets Prefer the Equator

Earth spins at about 1,670 kilometers per hour at the equator, and rockets launched eastward get that rotation as a free head start. The Guiana Space Centre sits 5 degrees north, gaining roughly 3 percent extra payload versus Florida and much more versus polar sites.

Baikonur at 46 degrees north accepts the penalty for historical reasons. Geostationary satellites benefit most, since an equatorial launch can reach a 36,000 kilometer orbit without costly plane changes.

Kourou therefore became the European workhorse base, and Brazil keeps investing in Alcantara for the same reason.