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Typically preferred are launches from near the equator in an easterly direction. This allows maximum use of the Earth's rotational speed, and a good orientation for arriving at a geostationary orbit. It also increases mass-to-orbit. For polar or Molniya orbits, these aspects do not apply. For safety, a launch vector over water or deserted land is important.

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.

Some of the spaceports are:

• North America:
  • Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on Merritt Island, Florida
  • Kennedy Space Center, also on Merritt Island, Florida
  • Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
  • Kodiak Launch Complex , Kodiak Island BoroughKodiak Island Borough is a borough located in the U. State of Alaska. As of 2000, the population is 13,913. The borough seat is Kodiak. Geography The borough has a total area of 31,141 km² (12,024 mi²). 16,990 km² (6,560 mi²) of it is land and 14,151 km², AlaskaOn January 3, 1959, Alaska was admitted to the United States as the 49th state. The population of the state is 626,932, as of 2000. The name "Alaska" is most likely derived from the Aleut word for "great country" or "mainland. The natives called it "Alyes
  • Meadows Field AirportMeadows Field Airport is an airport in Bakersfield, California Its IATA Airport Code is BFL . Meadows Field Airport has three airlines that fly regional air service. Continental Express Mesa Airlines dba America West Express Skywest dba United Express Ext, BakersfieldBakersfield is the county seat of Kern County, California, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 247,057. The city's economy thrives on agriculture, and petroleum extraction and refining. Geography Bakersfield is, California, not technically a spaceport, but is the take-off site for Orbital SciencesOrbital Sciences Corporation OSC though commonly abbreviated as Orbital is a Dulles, Virginia company which specializes in satellite launch and manufacture. It also has a division which specializes in strategic missile defense and theater missile defense' mothershipA mothership is a vessel or aircraft that carries a smaller vessel or aircraft that operates independently from it. Examples include bombers converted to carry experimental aircraft to altitudes where they can conduct their research, or ships that carry s for PegasusThe Pegasus rocket is a three stage, solid propellant, winged space booster developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC). The vehicle is launched from another aircraft, initially, a B-52, but more recently, an L-1011), at approximately 40,000 feet.
  • Mojave SpaceportThe Mojave Spaceport also known as the Mojave Airport and Civilian Flight Test Center is the first facility to be licensed in the United States for horizontal launches of reusable spacecraft. Certified as a spaceport by the Federal Aviation Administration, Mojave, California
  • Oklahoma Spaceport , Burns Flat, Oklahoma
  • Southwest Regional Spaceport , Upham , New Mexico

• South America:
  • Alcantara Launch Center, Maranhão, Brazil
  • Centre Spatial Guyanais at Kourou, French Guiana

• Asia:
  • Baikonur Cosmodrome, Tyuratam, Kazakhstan
  • Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
  • Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
  • Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center , China
  • Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China
  • Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima Island, Japan
  • Uchinoura Space Center , Japan
  • Christmas Island Spaceport , Australia

• Open ocean:
  • Sea Launch departs Long Beach, California and sails to the equator, where they conduct launches from a converted oil platform.