But not all orbits are created equalsome are less traveled than others.
SpaceXs upcoming private mission will venture out to a polar orbit around Earth.
So, why exactly has it taken spaceflight so long to send a crew to polar orbit?
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad prior to launch of Fram 2 mission.SpaceX
The simple answer is energetics, Jeffrey Hughes, a space physics professor at Boston University, told Gizmodo.
It takes a lot more energy to put something in polar orbit compared to equatorial orbit.
In equatorial orbit, the motion of the Earths spin helps you along.
SpaceX’s Fram2 Crew could launch as early as this year. Credit: SpaceX
Therefore, satellites are generally hurled into space eastward to take advantage of Earths rotation.
In short, a launch into a polar orbit does not benefit from the Earth rotation, Gruntman added.
When it comes to flying humans in polar orbit, however, things get a little more tricky.
That same effect is what causes auroras in polar regions.
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