# Does the delta v requirement of a rocket to place a satellite in orbit depend on the position of other planets?

Does the necessary delta v given to a satellite (earth orbiting) by the rocket during its launch depend on the positions of other planets? Please justify your answer.

• More clarification is needed here... are you only referring to interplanetary probes, or any satellite, including Earth-orbiting? If it's the latter, then the answer is simply no. – user29 Aug 14 '13 at 15:36
• If you consider lunar and jovian perturbations, the short answer is yes. However, the scale of those perturbations is much less than uncertainty in rocket performance. – Deer Hunter Aug 14 '13 at 15:39
• The answer is strictly yes, but practically no per @PearsonArtPhoto 's response. – Erik Aug 14 '13 at 23:48
• If you're sending to other than just Earth orbit, the position of the target bodie(s) (Moon, other planets) would determine the launch window, in order to minimize the boost (speed) needed to get there, or conversely, allow for a larger payload. Launching outside the window requires more fuel burn (for course corrections). This has very very little to do with gravitational effects at launch, as discussed in other answers. "Please justify your answer" -- is this homework? – Phil Perry Jul 11 '14 at 17:04

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