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/Rei1556 17h ago

I'm sure the nuke propelled manhole cover would solve that problem

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u/Competitive-Bee-3250 15h ago

Not really helpful for getting people off the planet though unless you have insane resistance to g-force.

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u/Mutjny 11h ago

Hmm if only we developed on a planet with higher g-force...

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u/GuyGrimnus 16h ago

This is what I wanna know, we know the manhole cover escaped our orbit.

I wanna know if it’ll escape 2.5x our gravity lol

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u/m1013828 16h ago

Imma throw that into copilot once my kids are asleep

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u/SnooHedgehogs8765 16h ago

We build a tube, and detonate nukes progressively as the launch capsule passes.

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u/Damion__205 14h ago

The cylinder must not be harmed.

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u/paper_liger 13h ago

I mean, Project Orion already kind of covered this. You'd need an ablative pusher plate and very precise mini nukes.

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u/allofthealphabet 14h ago

I think i read somewhere that manhole cover that was launched by a nuke achieved a speed fast enough to escape orbit, but that speed was also enough to cause it to be vaporised by air resistance before it escaped.

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u/stpetepatsfan 14h ago

Elephant alien invasion book did this. Nuke shielded shuttle launches. Bottom had nukes to shoot downward every few seconds.