[darkscape]

Build the thing on a sea platform. Launch the counterweight into water. Make it sharp-nosed like the payload, so it could potentially survive impact with water and be recovered.

[dtgriscom]

Hey! Deep sea and space exploration at the same time! (You just have to get complementary mission designs.)

[Havoc]

>so it could potentially survive impact with water and be recovered.

Doubtful even if pointy. Water is way denser than atmosphere