lunar mining

[kismetkid]

how's this for a launch?

maglev train track with rocket on board and payload on rocket. the maglev accelerates the total load to 2100 mph and the rocket kicks in at the end of the track. the load would be at 10% of escape velocity before the rocket boosted it. if you start on the rockies and head east or south of east, the whole thing would be over the ocean in case an abort was necessary. the rocket could separate and splash down in the ocean to be recovered later.