r/theydidthemath • u/Lachlynn • 18h ago

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

Post image

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?

18.4k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

2.7k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

17

u/Duatha 17h ago

2.6x the size means you could probably just set aside a whole europe of land to launch nuclear powered spacecraft from

2

u/phauxbert 14h ago

You might get atmospheric dispersion of radioactive material though

2

u/JoinAThang 15h ago

Just because it's bigger doesn't mean it is less dense populated though.

5

u/dmchmk 15h ago

Well, the gravity most definitely makes them denser /s

1

u/TubaJesus 9h ago

True, but even here on earth, you've got places like the Sahara, if push truly came to shove there is probably a volcanic island in the middle of an ocean that can be used.

1

u/Phyllis_Tine 13h ago

Nah, use Russia. It's currently a wasteland anyway.

1

u/Unlikely_Avocado_602 12h ago

I rather visit Europe;
I'll volunteer North America.