In article ,
Andrew Nowicki wrote:

The conventional rocket launchers are shaped like a
pencil to minimize aerodynamic drag during the first
minute of the flight. A cone-shaped rocket launcher
would generate too much drag unless it was slowly lifted
above the dense part of the atmosphere (to the altitude
of about 30 kilometers) with a balloon or a helicopter.
Hydrogen balloons are cheap, but not reusable.

But airships (whether filled with hydrogen or helium) are. Big ones can
have a quite impressive lift capacity, too.

Re. helicopters:

3. Electric motors are cheap and can operate at the altitude
of 30 km. Their energy source can be either a battery or a
generator standing on the ground [connected by wires].

Did you consider a power source on the ground beaming power to the
helicopters in the form of lasers or microwaves?

Electric motors powered by batteries are the best choice because
they are cheap, reliable, safe, and easy to use.

It's an interesting idea, though recovering all those batteries
parachuted from 30 km strikes me as a logistical problem, which will
therefore drive up the costs. An airship might work better.

Best,
- Joe