全球航天发射场报告-CSIS-2019.3-84页_2mb

Summary of "Spaceports of the World" (March 2019)

Core Content

This report, authored by Thomas G. Roberts and published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), provides an in-depth analysis of the global spaceport landscape, focusing on the geographic and political factors that influence their location and operation. It examines both active and inactive spaceports, as well as proposed future facilities, and discusses the implications of these factors on the efficiency and sustainability of space launches.

Main Points

Geographic Considerations

• Earth's Rotation and Launch Efficiency:

  • Launching from lower latitudes (closer to the equator) allows spacecraft to benefit from the Earth's natural eastward rotation, reducing the energy needed to achieve orbital velocity.
  • The most optimal location for a spaceport is at the equator, where a spacecraft can be launched due east to take full advantage of this rotational speed.

• Azimuth Limitations:

  • Spaceports are often restricted in their launch directions due to geopolitical and environmental considerations.
  • For example, the Cape Canaveral spaceport is limited to eastward launches to avoid populated areas and foreign airspace.
  • Vandenberg Air Force Base, located in the northern hemisphere, is restricted to southward launches to accommodate polar and near-polar orbit requirements.

• Natural Factors:

  • Weather and natural disasters play a significant role in the selection of spaceport locations.
  • Spaceports in regions prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, and wildfires may face operational delays or risks.
  • High-altitude wind shear can also impact the efficiency of launches.

Political Considerations

• Accessibility:

  • Most spaceports are located in regions entirely controlled by the operating country to ensure secure and unrestricted access.
  • The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan is an exception, as it is leased by Russia, requiring annual payments to maintain access.

• Neighboring Airspace:

  • Political relationships with neighboring countries can influence the direction and feasibility of launches.
  • Some spaceports, like the Israeli Palmachim Airbase, are limited to retrograde orbits due to regional political tensions.

• Political Stability:

  • Political instability or changes in governance can impact spaceport operations.
  • The construction of the Broglio Space Centre in the 1960s was influenced by political uncertainties in equatorial regions.
  • In 2017, protests in French Guiana threatened the European Space Agency's access to its spaceport.

• Public Awareness:

  • During the early space age, some space programs kept their spaceport locations secret to avoid political scrutiny.
  • The Baikonur Cosmodrome was deliberately named to mislead the public, and its true location was not publicly acknowledged until 1983.
  • In contrast, the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in China is designed to be publicly accessible, promoting national support for space programs.

Key Information

Active Spaceports

• There are 22 active spaceports globally, with the following distribution:

  • 5 on U.S. territory
  • 4 in China
  • 3 in Russia
  • 2 in Japan
  • 1 each in Kazakhstan, Israel, India, French Guiana, Iran, North Korea, South Korea, and New Zealand

• The Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia is the world's most active spaceport with 1,569 orbital launches from 1957 to 2018.

• The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the oldest active spaceport, with 1,396 orbital launches from 1957 to 2018.

• Cape Canaveral / Kennedy Space Center and Vandenberg Air Force Base are major U.S. spaceports, with Cape Canaveral supporting launches into low Earth orbit and Vandenberg catering to polar and near-polar orbits.

Inactive Spaceports

• Several spaceports have been decommissioned or are no longer in use.
• These include Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, and Svobodny Cosmodrome, among others.

Future Spaceports

• There are multiple proposed spaceports under development, including:
  • FAA-licensed launch sites such as Cecil, Colorado, Houston, Midland, Mojave, Oklahoma, and others.
  • Sub-orbital test sites like Alcántara, Esrange, Spaceport Camden, Tonghae, and West Texas.
  • Potential new spaceports such as the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, Christmas Island, Hawaii, and others.

Conclusion

• The modern spaceport is a critical infrastructure for the global space industry, with its location influenced by both geographic and political factors.
• The report highlights the importance of geographical positioning, azimuth restrictions, and environmental conditions in determining the effectiveness of a spaceport.
• Political considerations, including accessibility, airspace agreements, and public perception, also play a significant role in the selection and operation of spaceports.

Summary of Launch Data

• The report provides 10-year launch records for the 22 active spaceports.

• It defines primary payload as the main object launched, either the only payload or the one labeled "A" in the international designator.

• Payloads are categorized by orbital regime:

  • Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
  • Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)
  • Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
  • Other (e.g., lunar, heliocentric)
  • Missing (data not available)

• The report does not include detailed metrics such as launch capacity, carbon footprint, or turnaround time due to insufficient data.

Interactive Data Repository

• The report is accompanied by an interactive data repository at cs.is/spaceports.
• This repository allows users to explore launch data, including launch trajectories, drop zones, and orbital destinations.

Final Note

• CSIS does not take specific policy positions, and all views expressed in the report are solely those of the author.
• The report serves as a comprehensive overview of the global spaceport network and the challenges and opportunities it presents for the future of space exploration.