Launch methods refer to the various techniques used to send spacecraft or satellites into space. Common methods include vertical launches, where rockets are propelled straight up from a launch pad, and horizontal launches, which involve aircraft carrying rockets to a high altitude before releasing them. Each method has its advantages, such as cost efficiency and payload capacity. Another approach is the use of space elevators, which theoretically would allow payloads to be lifted into orbit using a cable anchored to the Earth. Additionally, space shuttles and reusable rockets have revolutionized space travel by allowing multiple missions with the same hardware, reducing overall costs.