Satellite Launch Sites
Satellite launch sites are facilities on the Earth that are designed to receive and launch satellites that may orbit the Earth or travel to other planets or even star systems. Satellite launch sites are often referred to as “spaceports” or “cosmodromes” and may be situated on ground or in any ocean. While satellites are often launched from facilities that are designed to launch space shuttles and/or rockets, some facilities are entirely dedicated to launching satellites. Although many different companies and organizations own satellites, these companies are not allowed to launch their own satellites and must depend on satellite launch sites in order to put their satellites in space.
How Satellite Launch Sites Work
A satellite launch site can be built on either ground or water, but is always distanced from nearby structures, especially from public property, in order to minimize property damage in the case of disaster. Satellite launch sites are equipped with a launch pad and are designed to launch rockets far into space. A satellite is attached to the rocket and is detached only when the rocket reaches a specified altitude, in which the rocket falls back to Earth and the satellite is propelled into orbit.
Applications
Satellite launch sites may differ in design and purpose, but are used for launching satellites into space. Satellite launch sites referred to as “spaceports” may also be used to launch space shuttles, land rovers, probes, rockets, missiles, or other astronautic devices. Although thousands of satellites have been launched since the 1950s, there are only several dozen satellite launch sites spread around the world, with satellite launch sites found in the Unites States and Russia having the most launched satellites in use.
Advantages
Satellite launch sites are advantageous because they allow telecommunication and navigation companies to provide their subscribers with reliable service throughout large areas. Satellite launch sites also allow weather analysis organizations, such as the Weather Channel, to monitor the Earth’s current and past weather conditions in order to predict future conditions. Additionally, satellite launch sites make it possible for agencies like NASA to explore space and examine materials brought back from satellites, probes, and other astronautic devices.
Common Satellite Launch Sites
| Satellite Launch Site | Latitude | Longitude |
| Alcantara, Brazil | 2.3S | 44.4E |
| Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA | 28.5N | 81.0W |
| Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA | 35N | 118W |
| Jiuquan, China | 40.6N | 99.9E |
| Kagoshima, Japan | 31.2N | 131.3E |
| Kourou, French Guiana | 5.2N | 52.8W |
| Kapustin Yar, Russia | 48.4N | 45.8E |
| Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel | 31.5N | 34.5E |
| Plesetsk, Russia | 62.8N | 40.1E |
| Shar Centre, Srihrikota, India | 13.9N | 80.4E |
| Svobdny, Russia | 51.37N | 128.3E |
| Taiyuan, China | 37.5N | 112.6E |
| Tanagashima, Japan | 30.4N | 131.0E |
| Torrejon, Spain | 40.488N | 3.457E |
| Tyuratam, Kazakhstan | 45.6N | 63.4E |
| Wallops Island, Virginia, USA | 37.8N | 75.5W |
| Woomera, Australia | 31.1S | 136.8E |
| Western Test Range, Vandenberg, California, USA | 34.4N | 120.35W |
| Xichang, China | 28.25N | 102E |
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