The Pyramid had this idea that the kites were launched directly from the ground and powered by the generator in reverse for the first few meters. So that would be a candidate for that last question. Though the cartwheel is not such a far leap from a mast.
I gather a moving mast like the cartwheel has kind of would allow more launch per
material use, though at the cost of complexity.
Makani did an early video showing a kite launched bu compressed air. Its a neat idea but not very scalable.
Seems to me the only feasible way to automate huge lifters is the russian doll «mamoschka» principle, where a smaller kite launches
a slightly bigger one, then repeat until you have enough.
Also on the same theme, my idea for a fold out lifter, at the back of a drone. But even this one would probably have a very small kite launched first, to pull out the main pilot kite from the drone.
Endless options. Maybe time to consult the oracle AI?
