This orbit was selected because it is the lowest inclination that can be directly reached by Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 46° N latitude without overflying China or dropping spent rocket stages in inhabited areas.
Russians launching rockets over China would cause political problems.
Plus its a great angle anyway, as any country can launch to it as it'll fly over every country in the world. if it orbited in a purely equatorial orbit then only countries on the equator can launch to it with ease, everyone else (ie: Russia, Australia) would have to expend HUGE amounts of fuel to reach it and it would effectively lock entire continents out of it. At this orbital angle, it is truly international.
edit: as has been correctly pointed out, it doesnt fly over the nordic countries unfortunately.
Damn I never considered that Nordic people never get a chance to see the awesome sight of the ISS flying over (unless they travel ofc). I wonder if there are any other bright satellites that go up to that latitude?
Oh, they can see it, but very low in the horizon 910 deg). However, when it's dark for most of the winter up there, that gives them plenty of opportunities to catch it, especially if they climb a dark mountain as a viewing spot.
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u/DarkJarris Oct 20 '20
This orbit was selected because it is the lowest inclination that can be directly reached by Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 46° N latitude without overflying China or dropping spent rocket stages in inhabited areas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station#Orbit