Re: Orbital mechanics folks...why does the ISS reboost matter?

Jim Oberg wrote:
See http://www.jamesoberg.com/books/spt/new-CHAPTERSw_figs.pdf,
the Appendix 1 to chapter 1,
for generic background, then we can chat.

This doesn't explain the original question.

Isn't the position of the space station more or less random (in practical terms) along the orbital path at the time the plane crosses over KSC ? (aka: launch time for Shuttle)

Does increasing the station's altitude (and incresing the time needed for a full orbit) really make such a big change to the relative position of ISS to KSC at the time the orbital plane passes over KSC ?

I can understand that having ISS higher/slower means that with the Shuttle's initial lower orbit (faster), the speed difference between the two is greater, which means the shuttle can close the gap to catch up to the ISS faster.

But I do not understand why a lower station would only generate "good" rendez vous every second day while a slightly higher orbit would allow shuttle to launch any day.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Hubble Marching orders
    ... One reason for this is that the space station was ... It's Dead, Greg. ... ISS and just shut down the program and Shuttle now? ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: shuttle & ISS mistake news article
    ... > Today he was quoted as calling the shuttle and the ISS mistakes. ... > Grail" for reducing the costs of getting to and from orbit. ... > congressional districts, politics, and international relations have ...
    (sci.space.shuttle)
  • Re: "The Shuttle Was a Mistake"
    ... >In hindsight, I'd say that the shuttle and the ISS ... >a space station that didn't exist until 20 years after the shuttle's launch. ... How would you achieve the goals of exploration and scientific ...
    (rec.aviation.piloting)
  • Re: DOUBLE FLYBY ALERT
    ... Check http://spaceweather.com to see if you are favored with a double flyby of your hometown before Discovery returns to Earth on Thursday. ... DON'T MISS THAT FLYBY: Would you like a call when the ISS is about to fly over your area? ... The Shuttle will come from the southwest, pass close to overhead and move away to the east. ... The ISS (Space Station) is supposed to be about a minute behind on approximately the same track. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: ISS vs Hubble vs Shuttle
    ... because the space shuttle cannot simply "fly to the ISS", ... hubble orbit is drastically differect from the ISS. ... it has a more inclined orbit than is normally used for U.S. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)