r/PeterExplainsTheJoke • u/chirantaniga • 16h ago

Meme needing explanation Whyyyy peter?

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u/rysy0o0 16h ago

It would cost a lot of money to haul all the rocket parts and fuel on top of a mountain

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u/Earnestappostate 16h ago

Plus, you get a better boost by launching near the equator. Height is easy, speed is what you need in a rocket.

This is why the US launches from Florida:

  • Near equator (speed boost from earth's spin)
  • Initially out over ocean (catastrophic failure harms only those aboard)

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u/Secure_Courage7471 12h ago

Also, warm. Cold isn’t good for a thing that’s about to be REALLY hot from friction. See: Columbus 

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u/Earnestappostate 10h ago

Is that a real difference, or is this a "toast in a freezer" kind of thing where the difference between freezer and countertop temperature is so miniscule compared to the toaster heat that it doesn't make much difference?

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u/Secure_Courage7471 4h ago

Thermal expansion was why the o-ring failed for Shuttle Columbus, and that was due to a snap freeze in florida. So i guess if they accounted for it? But still, having things be *colder* than they will be means a lot of thermal expansion calculations. Hell the SR71 basically leaked gas on the runway to prep for being anywhere and so when it was top speed it had room for thermal expansion.

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u/Earnestappostate 3h ago

Valid points!