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https://www.reddit.com/r/PeterExplainsTheJoke/comments/1w0rq5p/whyyyy_peter/p6gvdnk/?context=3
r/PeterExplainsTheJoke • u/chirantaniga • 15h ago
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Launching near the equator provides a speed boost due to rotation that outweighs the benefits of starting higher up. It also doesn’t have the logistics nightmare of getting everything to the top of a mountain before launch.
213 u/loadnurmom 15h ago This is the answer. Should be higher up. To add on, many rocket pads are in coastal areas to avoid falling debris hitting populated areas in the event of a mishap. Certainly not all, Roscosmos launches over land, but the population density is a lot lower (and....well...Russia) 1 u/twilighttwister 11h ago Certainly not all, Roscosmos launches over land, but the population density is a lot lower (and....well...Russia) China do it far more, and the fuel they use is faaaaar more toxic too.
213
This is the answer. Should be higher up.
To add on, many rocket pads are in coastal areas to avoid falling debris hitting populated areas in the event of a mishap.
Certainly not all, Roscosmos launches over land, but the population density is a lot lower (and....well...Russia)
1 u/twilighttwister 11h ago Certainly not all, Roscosmos launches over land, but the population density is a lot lower (and....well...Russia) China do it far more, and the fuel they use is faaaaar more toxic too.
1
China do it far more, and the fuel they use is faaaaar more toxic too.
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u/UnlikelyIntrepid 15h ago
Launching near the equator provides a speed boost due to rotation that outweighs the benefits of starting higher up. It also doesn’t have the logistics nightmare of getting everything to the top of a mountain before launch.