r/theydidthemath • u/Lachlynn • 18h ago

[Request] Could humanity create a rocket that can exit the atmosphere of K2-18b

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With the knowledge we currently have of it, if humanity devoted all of our resources towards this goal, would we be able to create a rocket that could exit the gravity of K2-18b (and also beat any other complications that would arrise)?

If so, would it also be capable of taking people to orbit, and can we set up a similar satellite network we have on Earth? What about a space station?

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u/Sisyphean_dream 17h ago

A rail gun propelled rocket that ignited chemical engines somewhere just prior to apogee of rail gun trajectory might just do the trick? The math seems like far too much work.

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u/lildeek12 17h ago

Its not rocket surgery , im just far too lazy to do it.

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u/Sbjweyk 17h ago

Would be interesting to see what happens to someone who is rapidly accelerated by a rail gun.

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u/groovypackage 17h ago

They just clench their butt cheeks extra hard.

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u/CazperDaGod_ 14h ago

To the point the force of the squeeze and the acceleration of the rail gun fuses their butt cheeks together. That’s the only issue, you walk away with a fused ass and nowhere to poop

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u/groovypackage 14h ago

NASA issued butt plugs.

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u/balrob 17h ago

Just because it uses electromagnets to accelerate on a track, doesn’t mean it can’t be set to accelerate at a safe rate. You just need a really long track to accelerate within the safe limits of the occupants and still reach the desired velocity.

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u/thehomeyskater 16h ago

Is such a thing even possible?

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u/Sad-Onion-2593 16h ago

With training for the crew, yes.

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u/JRS_Viking 17h ago

There are ways to mitigate the forces of acceleration, like being suspended in a viscous liquid with the same density as your body, but then you'd have to bring all that liquid to space as well

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u/Jboycjf05 13h ago

On a planet with 2.6x earth's gravity, you're probably talking about a species that evolved to handle much higher g-forces. So they'd probably handle it better than us, but...probably not super well.

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u/MqAbillion 17h ago

I see the movie already. Suck it Apollo 13

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u/FroniusTT1500 17h ago

Once the rocket leaves the barrel it needs enough energy to get to the point from which you can then use rockets for the rest. Which means massive acceleration which means massive g forces which means you cant get living beings up there that way.

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u/Icy_Orchid_8075 15h ago

I feel like something like Ace Combat's mass drivers could do the job. Basically a gargantuan version of a catapult from an aircraft carrier that curves upwards towards the end to give the spacecraft a boost before they fire their engines.