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I looked at very simple max q formula: q=1/2 ρv^2 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_q). As air density is lower with altitude, the max q should be lower as well, and also should occur at higher altitude. using this formula, I estimated for Falcon 9 that Mount Everest should reduce max q by 16 times, compared to sea level launch and max-Q altitude increases about from 7km to 11 km.

But then I saw this post: Is it possible to calculate Max-Q without having to input an altitude, which basically says "it's complicated". Is it possible to significantly reduce real max q by launching of high altitude? And by how much?

Max q change due to altitude

gvidas astromskas
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    Hmmm.. somewhere in there you have to posit an acceleration profile so you know the speed as a func of time and therefore as a func of altitude. I"m guessing you expect the same profile, in which case graphing $\rhov^2$ vs. time is easy; but if you start at higher altitude, drag is less, so the accel profile for the same thrust* profile will differ. – Carl Witthoft Jan 15 '21 at 12:53
  • Hopefully someone with a simulation will run this. Interesting. – Organic Marble Jan 15 '21 at 15:36

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