The people who originated the concept of the launch loop wanted to solve problems of launching spacecraft, thus the name. Elon Musk wants to commute faster between LA and SF, because he does that 400 mile commute 4 times a week. (Obviously Elon also very much wants to launch spacecraft, but maybe has reasons to ignore the launch loop for that purpose.)
With that in mind, is there any reason a launch loop needs to be vertically oriented? Why can't it go, you know, SF, LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, Reno? And if so, why can't parts of it be "underground or above-ground"?
>maybe has reasons to ignore the launch loop for that purpose
True. I think you would probably agree that they're more technical than anti-competitive. Musk has called space elevators a long-term optimization, but points out that you still need rockets anyway. Engineering-wise, a small loop is a lot easier than an orbit-capable loop.
>is there any reason a launch loop needs to be vertically oriented?
In the canonical implementation, the loop is actually fired horizontally from the base stations. The curve ofhe Earth makes the angle for the vertical component.
You're quite right, of course, that the optimized design for launching is different from the optimized design for transport. I picture in my head a >20° departure angle, but I haven't run the math so I really don't know.
I don't quite understand your question. Could you clarify?
Obviously Elon also very much wants to launch spacecraft, but maybe has reasons to ignore the launch loop for that purpose.
Elon wants to be able to launch rockets that can land vertically on Mars.
A spacecraft capable version of a launch loop is a wonderful optimization, but doesn't get him to the rocket technology you need to colonize a planet that does not yet have the technology to build such a launch loop. (Plus he has contracts to fulfill that he can't meet in time with a launch loop.)
With that in mind, is there any reason a launch loop needs to be vertically oriented? Why can't it go, you know, SF, LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, Reno? And if so, why can't parts of it be "underground or above-ground"?