[rbanffy]

They don’t have to be too far from each other.

Another option would be to standardise on a launch pad design and make the rockets to match it, perhaps with a set of adapters for ground systems. This way, if you accidentally decommission a pad, you can build a new set of adapters and use any other pad that follows your “Unipad” standard.

[ramaseshanms]

Standardizing is not quite simple. Each rocket is different from each other. There are many reasons why launchpads are intricately designed as per specific rockets. examples like The type of fuel used, the pipelines that supply them until T-0, the reusable capabilities, sound suppression system, rocket and payload weight, etc. But if standardization is indeed achieved, then all the more victory for the spacefarers!

[rbanffy]

I know it’s not simple. This is why it’d need some deliberate imposition of requirements - this would harm the players with most dedicated platforms to benefit everyone (including the people paying to launch their things).

I am not sure why NASA hasn’t imposed the requirement that Dragon, Starliner, and Dream Chaser should all be able to launch from each others booster.