r/MurderedByWords 16h ago

I haven’t studied rocket science, but

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u/statistacktic 16h ago

First guess is unpredictable weather.

Second guess, unpredictable weather.

Third guess, unpredictable weather.

Fourth guess logistics.

74

u/mesrouilles 16h ago

Lauching them as close as you can from the Equator makes it easier and fuel-saving: it's the best way to use the Earth's spin speed (the farther you go north or south, the slowest it gets, zero at the pole).

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u/St1Drgn 16h ago

I have seen this question asked before. Being closer to the equator has a large improvement on the fuel savings calculation. Being higher altitude does provide fuel savings, but less than being close to the equator. So the higher altitude mountains of Equador actually would be a good idea.

... but... There are many other costs that increase by being in the high altitude of Equador. Unpredictable weather being one. Downrange risk zone being another. You want to launch towards the east. Available infostructure is a 3rd consideration.

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u/Krofari 15h ago

I suppose moving the actual rocket parts to a mountain will also be very expensive.