I don't know why spacecraft with rocket engines have to start right vertically - but it doesn't seem to be as intelligent... When a rocket starts vertically:
a) it has to defeat the most gravity and
b) it cannot glide in the atmosphere at all - so this is nothing but a waste of energy...
When a spacecraft had some wings already at the very beginning of the launch (just like the Space Shuttle) and it was launched in a more or less slanting position then I guess you would need much less fuel and/or you could increase the cargo weight... After a vertical launch all rockets turn to a slanting trajectory as the forces of nature require - maybe this flexibility would be useful already at the start, too...
The "Pocket Rocket" concept means that you could launch a Space Shuttle practically from your shoulder... This could be a part of modern Space Shuttle prevention...
Best wishes, ACME and Team
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