[boredprograming]

In the future, we may have better ways of escaping earth than our brute force rockets.

If we can use our atmosphere as oxidizer, like planes do, we could get to orbit with far better mass fraction. And far less fuel. Closer to a normal plane than a tin can full of explosives.

Problems are heat related, at speeds and altitude needed regular jet engines would melt. There's ongoing research into precoolers to make the concept work with fairly normal engines.

The British are working on this, with Skylon and the Sabre engine. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylon_(spacecraft)

[azepoi]

What about a non zero launch speed with some electrical ramp, railgun style?

[boredprograming]

The atmosphere at low altitude burns off tons of energy. I don't think we'll ever achieve ballistic launch from earth surface, but that's just my opinion :)