(Henry Spencer) wrote in message ...
In article , Markus Redeker wrote:
That said, ISS isn't in a good orbit to use as a stepping stone,

Which orbit would you prefer?

The best orbit for an orbital assembly base is equatorial, although that
requires an equatorial launch site (not just near the equator, mind you,
but very nearly on it -- even Kourou, at 5.2degN, is not really suitable).
The big win is launch windows once per orbit instead of once or twice a
day, and there are some lesser issues like lower radiation dose too.

Howland Island is US territory, with Baker Island just south, and
Jarvis some distance east. All are on the equator, give or take a
degree.

See Arthur C. Clarké's Tales from the White Hart, the location for the
short story about Dorcas the chimp practically *has* to be that place.

In an earlier story, Arthur proposed launching from one of the
mountain tops in what is now Indonesia, both solving the problem of
getting above much of the athmosphere and being on the equator.

Regards

Carsten Nielsen
Denmark