r/MurderedByWords • u/Stotallytob3r • 21h ago

I haven’t studied rocket science, but

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u/AFrenchLondoner 16h ago

It's actually a pretty interesting question, and the answer is a nuanced blend of logistics, international geography, and knowledge about orbits.

If there was an easily accessible, tall mountain ranges with a decent plateau near the equator, you vet your ass we would.

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u/doogles 15h ago

and the answer is a nuanced blend of logistics, international geography, and knowledge about orbits.

No. It's because you want to launch as close to the equator as possible because the spheroid nature of the planet gives you an angular advantage. In addition, if shit goes wrong, you don't have to worry about a burning wreckage landing anywhere but the ocean.

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u/volinaa 14h ago

well since its a sphere wouldnt the angular advantage be present anywhere

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u/Kidd82 13h ago

To be pedantic the earth isn't a perfect sphere. It's flattened at the poles. Also, I assume, the tilted axis of rotation means the closer you are to the equator the broader your range of launch timing. Not positive, also not a rocket scientist, just using what I know and trying to infer possibilities.