3 ms·

It's expensive to build up speed while fighting through the lower atmosphere. Density drops pretty fast[1], so you don't need to fight it with the rocket if the

• patall 10y ago
  Why aren't space ports then at higher altitudes but mostly at sea-level like cape canaveral? At the beginning the rocket flies comparably slow, so the lower atmosphere density is not that important, its the speed that is hard.
  • msandford 10y ago
    Because there aren't any places in the US where you've got 20kft mountains right next to the ocean, on the east coast. The idea is that you launch over the ocean, near the equator so that you're getting the first ~1000mph for "free" since you're launching with the earth's rotation instead of against it. Next to the ocean is for range safety. If it's over the ocean and it blows up you don't rain down parts on populated areas. If you tried launching from the top of a mountain in the Rockies and something went wrong it could theoretically rain down on DC which would definitely get your funding cut.
    • Retric 10y ago
      No need for the east coast. Hawaii's highest point is 13,800 ft above sea level and much closer to the equator both significant advantages. The real advantage to Cape Canaveral is it was in the middle of nowhere with lot's of open land.
  • deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]