Talk:Launch pad

Alternatives
These aren't covered, see Talk:Spaceplane BTW: EMALS could also be used to provide a boost to conventional rockets (rather than just spaceplanes). This could be done by placing using a standing rail on the launchpad and guide the rocket along it (ie by equipping the rocket with guide wheels) and accellerate it at the same time using EMALS placed along the rail.

Another method is to use a space gun, perhaps not using a combustible gas but compressed air or compressed nitrogen. This eliminates the need of making the vehicle resistant to high temperatures. The barrel (pipe) prevents the thust energy of dissipating quickly in the environment and hence improves energy efficiency. EMALS could be added at the top of the barrel to reduce the on-board energy storage requirements (for thrust). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.182.154.251 (talk) 06:52, 12 July 2012 (UTC)

91.182.60.211 (talk) 08:59, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

Topped off
The article includes the statement: "Most cryogenic launch vehicles need to be continuously topped off as scheduled liftoff approaches", but "topped off" is not defined. Does this perhaps refer to the removal of expanding gases due to the warming of liquid fuels? If so, is this the function performed by the 'beanie cap' seen being removed a couple of minutes before Space Shuttle launches? And what happens if there needs to be a hold after the cap has been removed? Whatever "topped off" means, it needs to be made clear to the reader what is being discussed here. Credulity (talk) 17:20, 30 July 2012 (UTC)


 * No, it means just the opposite, the replacement of fluid rather than its removal. It's a common phrase used to refer to, for example "topping off your cup of coffee." Those "expanding gases" are actually boiling off cryogenic liquids (oxygen oxidizer, and hydrogen when used as fuel). Other commonly used propellants, kerosene-based fuel and hypergolic propellant, aren't cryogenic and so don't need to be topped off. The article has been clarified. JustinTime55 (talk) 18:22, 29 May 2013 (UTC)

Could say how specific each launch pad is to the rocket types it can currently launch.
Could say how specific each launch pad is to the rocket types it can currently launch. It's a major job to modify a launch pad to launch a different type of rocket - especially if there is a fixed or mobile launch tower, or a change in propellants. - Rod57 (talk) 23:26, 8 February 2022 (UTC)