Groundlaunch

Ground launch, often written as groundlaunch, refers to the launching of a vehicle from the Earth's surface into space or suborbital flight. It encompasses the infrastructure, operations, and procedures used to lift a rocket from a ground-based launch facility. Ground launches are distinct from air-launch and sea-launch methods and are the standard approach for most orbital missions and many ballistic programs.

Ground-launch systems typically comprise a launch pad or vertical assembly facility, a flame trench or sound suppression system, fueling and propulsion interfaces, and a set of ground support equipment such as umbilicals, power, and telemetry. Launch vehicles are positioned on a fixed pad or a mobile platform, with access towers and integration facilities, and are connected to ground-based systems that provide propellants, conditioning, and environmental control prior to liftoff.

Operationally, a ground launch follows a sequence of vehicle rollout, fueling, checkouts, safing, and countdown, culminating in ignition and liftoff. Safety is enforced by range control, exclusion zones, and abort capabilities. Ground launches must contend with weather, seismic considerations, and ground infrastructure reliability. Modern launches increasingly emphasize maintainability and reuse, influencing pad design and ground support practices to support rapid turnarounds.

Historical examples include early ground-launched missiles such as the V-2, as well as orbital programs like the Saturn V from the Kennedy Space Center and contemporary missions using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Europe’s Ariane family from Cape Canaveral and Kourou. Ground launches remain the predominant approach for most orbital and military space activities, with alternative modes such as air-launch and sea-launch supplementing specific mission profiles.