This isn't as crazy as it sounds. Benefits: - You're confining the noise to the takeoff zone rather than the entire flight path. - You're in a vacuum (mostly

This isn't as crazy as it sounds. Benefits: - You're confining the noise to the takeoff zone rather than the entire flight path. - You're in a vacuum (mostly in LEO) which massively reduces drag and is way more fuel efficient. - Reentry and landing require no fuel with good planning. Space Shuttle was a glider. Down sides: - Atmospheric reentry dissipates a LOT of energy over a short time which introduces risk and complexity. - You expend a lot of energy getting into orbit or your trajectory which also introduces risk and complexity - Vacuum has far greater depressurization risks than 35,000ft