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Iv'e been looking into micro-satellites launches on small rockets - from what I could find the lightest rocket to deploy a satellite into LEO is the SS-520-4 which had a weight of 2600kg.

If hypothetically, you could set up the launchpad at a height of 30,000m - how much lighter would you be able to create the whole thing? (considering all you want is to put the same 3kg satellite into orbit).

I understand it could be lighter, due to gaining some free altitude + clearing the portion with the highest air resistence off of the route. but I wonder by what factor.

Couldn't really think of any trivial way to calculate it, any pointing at the right direction for an answer would be apricciated.

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    $\begingroup$ There will be some logistical problems in building a launch site with a 30km start altitude; Everest is only 8.8km high. $\endgroup$
    – Russell Borogove
    Commented Apr 28, 2019 at 18:35
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    $\begingroup$ Thats exactly why I opened with "If hypothetically you could"... $\endgroup$
    – idik
    Commented Apr 28, 2019 at 18:38
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    $\begingroup$ How about orbital launch from a balloon? space.stackexchange.com/questions/35158/… $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Apr 28, 2019 at 18:58
  • $\begingroup$ For those interested, the SS-520-4 launch is discussed in spaceflight101.com/… $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Commented Apr 28, 2019 at 23:36

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