Spaceport
179174
225799790
2008-07-15T13:36:14Z
JAnDbot
1725149
robot Adding: [[eo:Kosmodromo]] Removing: [[ja:宇宙船基地]]
[[image:Bumper8 launch-GPN-2000-000613.jpg|thumb|A [[Bumper 8|Bumper V-2]] [[rocket]] being launched at [[Cape Canaveral]], [[Florida]] on July 24, 1950. (NASA)]]
{{For|the tourist attraction|Spaceport (Seacombe)}}
A '''spaceport''' or '''cosmodrome''' is a site for launching [[spacecraft]], by analogy with [[seaport]] for [[ship]]s or [[airport]] for [[aircraft]]. In [[rocketry]], major spaceports (such as [[Centre Spatial Guyanais]] or [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]]) often include more than one [[launch complex]], each of which may have more than one [[launch pad]]. Spaceports like the [[Mojave Spaceport]] include [[runway]]s for takeoff and landing of [[rocket-powered aircraft]] like [[SpaceShipOne]]. Typically a spaceport site is large enough that, should a vehicle explode, it will not endanger human lives or adjacent launch pads.
Launches from near the [[equator]] in an easterly direction are preferred, as they allow maximum use of the [[Earth's rotation]]al speed, and a good orientation for arriving at a [[geostationary orbit]]. The rotational boost increases the amount of mass that can be lifted to a given orbit with a given amount of fuel. For polar or [[Molniya orbit]]s, these aspects do not apply. For safety, a launch from a location where the [[rocket range]] extends over water or deserted land is important.
== Space tourism ==
The [[space tourism]] industry is being targeted by spaceports in numerous locations: [[Dubai]] in the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[California]], [[Oklahoma]], [[New Mexico]], [[Florida]], [[Virginia]] <ref name = "Virginia Spaceport">{{cite news | url=http://spacelawprobe.blogspot.com/2007/02/virginia-leads-way.html | author = Londin, Jesse | title =Space Law Probe: Virginia Leads The Way | publisher=blogspot.com | date=[[9 February]] [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-04-28}}</ref>, [[Alaska]] and [[Wisconsin]] in the [[United States]], [[Russia]]'s [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baikonur]] spaceport and possibly an [[Australia|Australian]] site to be developed for the launching of Russian spacecraft.<ref name="MSN">{{cite news | url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13304491 | author=Boyle, Alan | title=Regulators OK Oklahoma spaceport - Suborbital test flights could begin in 2007, setting stage for tourists | publisher=MSNBC | date=[[13 June]] [[2006]] |accessdate=2006-06-26}}</ref>
[[Kiruna]], [[Sweden]] is also planning to use [[Esrange]] as a spaceport [http://spaceportsweden.com/sps/].
== Future spaceports ==
It is believed that future [[hypersonic]] aircraft will require a very long runway rather than a vertical launch pad. Such hypothetical spaceports will present unique challenges in [[noise abatement]], zoning, and passenger access, with as much as a 5 mile wide corridor surrounding a 30 mile long runway. A dedicated [[mass transit]] system from the nearest public access point to the aircraft boarding area will be required.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
== See also ==
{{Wiktionary}}
*[[Rocket launch site]]
*[[Port]]
*[[Plesetsk Cosmodrome]]
*[[Office of Commercial Space Transportation]]
*[[List of spaceports]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{commons|spaceport}}
* MSNBC: [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6191567/ Spaceports compete in race for business]
*[http://www.dailycardinal.com/news/spaceport-could-be-in-the-stars-for-sheboygan.html Spaceport could be in the stars for Sheboygan] [[The Daily Cardinal]]
* HighBeam Research: [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-141058222.html?refid=hbr_nk Spaceflight of fancy: Lawmakers question fiscal feasibility of Southern New Mexico's proposed spaceport; supporters count on jobs.]
[[Category:Spaceports| ]]
{{Spaceport}}
[[bg:Космодрум]]
[[cs:Kosmodrom]]
[[da:Rumhavn]]
[[de:Weltraumbahnhof]]
[[es:Base espacial]]
[[eo:Kosmodromo]]
[[eu:Kosmodromo]]
[[fr:Base de lancement]]
[[id:Pelabuhan angkasa]]
[[he:נמל חלל]]
[[lv:Kosmodroms]]
[[lt:Kosmodromas]]
[[hu:Űrközpont]]
[[nl:Ruimtehaven]]
[[pl:Kosmodrom]]
[[pt:Bases de lançamentos espaciais]]
[[ru:Космодром]]
[[sk:Kozmodróm]]
[[sv:Rymdhamn]]
[[zh:航天发射中心]]