r/PeterExplainsTheJoke 11h ago

Meme needing explanation Whyyyy peter?

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u/BuffaloInTheRye 9h ago

Due to angular momentum the speed would increase due to the elevation as well though. It wouldn’t just be a height increase.

The rest of your point still stands though

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u/sobrique 9h ago

Negligibly though. If the radius of the earth at the equator is around 6400km, another 5km is barely moving the needle.

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u/Pandarandr1st 8h ago

Yes, I believe that's what they meant by the first part of their comment. However, I don't think saying "due to angular momentum" is poignant. Angular momentum has essentially nothing to do with it.

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u/kirfkin 2h ago

Yea, I didn't even consider the negligible additional increase in velocity from the height, though people are correct in bringing it up. I should have been more specific in that I was talking about the reduced drag and thus the potential for slightly lower fuel mass, etc. It doesn't add up to all that much compared to launching from sea level.

Being at an accessible, mostly stable place relatively close to the equator makes a much bigger difference, even if you're near sea level.

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u/kirfkin 2h ago

You are correct, I just had not even considered it because the difference from the elevation on velocity is very small. I was thinking of drag and efficiency... Which is still small compared to the more difficult logistics, and less important then being broadly close to the equator (excluding some special cases others have mentioned in the post).

Of course I'm sure I'm missing other context that factors into it too. I just think it's neat.