[JOE6PAK]

..."AlGore killed the manned space program when he and Chernomyrdin insisted that the ISS be in the 51 degree orbit. We lose over 30% of our lift capablity by being forced to launch into that orbit". ...

I am a true dunce about this. Could you explain this to me in simple terms.

[Paul Ross]

We have to launch the Shuttle from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From that latitude, the orbital alignment is significantly at variance from the orbital alignments of launches from Tyuratam, in the former Soviet Union. For the sake of Russian participation, so their Soyuz could rendezvous with the ISSS, we parked it in an orbit considerably more congruent with their most-economical orbital orientation.

To move the Shuttle from its most-economical orbital orientation (i.e., it's initial post-launch orbital insertion), the Shuttle's vector for insertion has to be directed away from its optimal West-East alignment which gives it a hefty 'centrifigal' boost, and allows it to go either higher in orbit or carry more payload. PLUS a heavy series of burns of the OMS engines is required to reposition the orbit. And then, when ready to leave, this positioning with the ISSS has to be UNDONE with even more OMS burns just to get things ligned up for re-entry and landing at the Cape...