The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL). VT and VL is two parts. VT commonly takes place near the equator. I know that most people will say, “How does the Falcon 9 get to the North/South Pole after we launch it?” But if this question were solved and we could move the rocket to a position above the north or south pole, would the VL be easier or more difficult at the pole than the equator?
In: Planetary Science
Launching near the equator, heading east, imparts the rotational velocity of the planet spinning to the rocket, allowing you to achieve orbit with less fuel.
If you launched from the pole, you would not have any of this extra energy, meaning more fuel would be needed to achieve orbit.
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