Can anyone tell me why?

Question

the majority of space programs that I have ever heard of launch rockets and other space bound objects from low lying areas instead of from higher altitudes? Dose it not take more energy for an object to reach orbit/space from lower lying areas?

Answer 1

I don't think the additional energy to cover the altitude is that great. Launching over the ocean is preferred because it minimizes the downrange danger in case of a malfunction. Close to the ocean generally involves low altitude.

Most launch sites are located close to the equator to take maximum advantage of the rotation of the Earth. Launching from Florida adds about 150 mph to the vehicle speed compared to launching from New York.

Answer 2

Think about how much more difficult things would be if you tried building facilities at a much higher altitude.

Cold - we lost one shuttle because the cold effected the O ring seal. Do you think it's warmer in the mountains or should we build a space facility on top of a volcano?

Wind - we cannot launch if the wind is too strong, it has too much influence on trajectory. Do you think there is less wind in the mountains?

Ease of and cost of construction - cost more to haul things up than to send them down

Closeness to the equator - that where you start with the most momentum from centripetal acceleration

Answer 3

The space programs normally launch from near the ocean so that the part of the rocket that is supposed to come off will land in the water, don't they?

Answer 4

You have a philosophycal question which should be framed in the form of a scientific question. The escape velocity of the earth is a known constant, which you may get online

Answer 5

the energy difference is negligible....hundreds or thousands of feet up to hundreds of miles to orbit. however, it takes a lot more energy to lift all the support equipment and people day after day up hundreds or thousands of feet.