Orbital mechanics of impulsive launch

A method of launching a vehicle to orbit about Earth, wherein the method comprises launching the vehicle in a direction that is easterly or due east using an impulsive force and along a trajectory that defines an elliptical orbital path, wherein

• a. the elliptical orbital path has an apogee and a perigee;
• b. the direction of launch is in a plane corresponding to the elliptical orbital path of the vehicle;
• c. the vehicle's trajectory and an orbit of a space object are in the same plane;
• d. the vehicle's trajectory apogee is closely matched to (1) an orbital altitude of a space object, (2) a place of rendezvous with the space object, or (3) a desired vehicle location,
• e. the vehicle has a fly-out time from a launch site, said fly-out time being measured from a launch time to a time that the vehicle first achieves the vehicle's trajectory apogee, and
• f. the vehicle launch occurs about one-third of said fly-out time prior to the space object or the desired vehicle location passing overhead of a position of the launch site at the launch time.

A method of launching a vehicle to orbit about Earth, wherein the method comprises launching the vehicle in a direction that is easterly or due east using an impulsive force and along a trajectory that defines an elliptical orbital path, wherein

• a. the elliptical orbital path has an apogee and a perigee;
• b. the direction of launch is in a plane corresponding to the elliptical orbital path of the vehicle;
• c. the vehicle's trajectory and an orbit of a space object are in the same plane;
• d. the vehicle has a fly-out time from a launch site, said fly-out time being measured from a launch time to a time that the vehicle first achieves the vehicle's trajectory apogee, and
• e. the vehicle launch occurs about one-third of said fly-out time prior to the space object or a desired vehicle location passing overhead of a position of the launch site at the launch time.