Science glossary film: Launch window

In space flight, the time period within which a rocket must be launched in order to achieve the desired orbit or destination. When launching spacecraft towards other planets in our Solar System, planners try to choose a trajectory that minimises the energy required, and this may require waiting for the Earth and other planets to be in a certain arrangement.

When launching spacecraft towards other planets in our Solar System, planners try to choose a trajectory that minimises the energy required, and this may require waiting for the Earth and other planets to be in a certain arrangement.