LAUNCH CONSIDERATION
To reach an orbiting object such as the International Space Station, you will need to launch your DeltaGlider 2 from Earth during what is called a "launch window"-- the period of time when you will be able to reach the location of your target object. The launch window will occur when the object you are trying to reach is directly above your launch point (see the Map MFD). The proper heading is then determined by the inclination of the object's orbit relative to your position. In the case of the ISS, your launch heading (known as your "launch azimuth") should be 42° if the curve of ISS's orbit is RISING away from you on the Map MFD, and your launch heading should be 135° if the curve is FALLING away.
In the image below, you can see that your launch azimuth should be 42° in order to reach ISS. If you use the ASCENT autopilot to do this, you should enter PRO903SPEC42 into the flight computer to set your launch azimuth to 42°.Note that if you wait until the ISS itself has reached your location and then launch, you may be able to reach it in less than half an orbit.
To find the launch Azimuth for another target the formulae is:
Launch Azimuth = arcsin (cos (desired_orbital_inclination) / cos (launch_ latitude))
Note that it is impossible to launch at smaller orbital inclinations than your launch latitude.
