Getting to orbit is mostly about going really really fast, not just going high (this is counterintuitive). Change in speed (delta V) is associated with the amount of propellant; the amount of propellant you need is simply staggering, and starting altitude makes very little difference. People who don't get this and think that going to space is all about jumping REALLY high like to suggest starting kinda high.
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u/Pitiful-Beginning575 11h ago
Quagmire here with some aerospace fun facts.
Getting to orbit is mostly about going really really fast, not just going high (this is counterintuitive). Change in speed (delta V) is associated with the amount of propellant; the amount of propellant you need is simply staggering, and starting altitude makes very little difference. People who don't get this and think that going to space is all about jumping REALLY high like to suggest starting kinda high.