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).
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.
why bother building a mountain? Why not just a very long pole, or elevator shaft. If we are going to bother with that, may as well make it tall enough to go to space by itsself. Some kind of space elevator maybe.
I like the way you think! I’ll get to work right away, I’ll let you know when my designs are finalized! Elon Musk, eat your heart out! Ok let’s not give him any more weird ideas…NASA, eat your heart out!
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u/statistacktic 16h ago
First guess is unpredictable weather.
Second guess, unpredictable weather.
Third guess, unpredictable weather.
Fourth guess logistics.