Mutley

Good point, re the equator itself not being important - something else I hadn't considered until you said that, and is now obvious!

That is very interesting, with respect to what is possible in KSP, but what you won't see on the map. This is something I'm getting used to - that everything you see on the map is a projection in to the future based on a set of assumptions (velocity, acceleration, direction etc). In the case of my original question (high latitude orbit, parallel to the equator is possibly a better way of putting it), this isn't somethng I would want to do, I don't think, but it just struck me if it was possible. Thanks again.

Wow! What a fantastic bunch of replies, and a great welcome - thank you. These explanations make perfect sense, and explain my intuited sense that orbits must cross the equator. I did create a drawing to explain what I meant, but I can't see a way of uploading it. Never mind, I think you all understood what I meant. This is exactly what I meant: I have another question related to orbital mechanics, but I should post another question about that. Thanks again !

Hi all, I've been playing KSP for a few weeks now, and totally love it. The amount to learn is driving me mad, but I love it at the same time; hits me right in the OCD spot. I've been learning about orbital mechanics, and trying to get a lot of principles straight in my head, but it is proving to be a challenge. Here is my question: If (for some reason), I wanted to put a satellite/probe/space station into a position such that it effectively had a short orbit around the north pole of Kerbin, is that possible? I mean, is that possible in the game, and is that possible in real life? Clarification - I mean a high latitude orbit that always stays above, therefore parallel with, the equator (as a plane of reference), like a halo over the north pole (as Dave Kerbin put it below). Must all orbits actually have orbits which intersect the equator? My thinking is that must be the case, but I don't know why, it just seems right - something do with the gravitational force exerted by the planet. Can any one enlighten me (if you understand what I'm asking!)? Thanks Muts. "Mutley Aerospace Division - You'd be MAD not to."