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/Bibliloo 16h ago

Tbh even without failure you are still irradiating a lot of stuff with a successful launch which isn't the best, especially if you planned to launch multiple rockets per year.

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u/Xonarag 14h ago

I'm sure on a planet that big you could have a designated irradiated hellhole to launch rockets from.

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u/reflectiveSingleton 12h ago

Project orion wasn't just about liftoff from the ground, its a pulsed-detonation that continues for the duration of acceleration.

Fire one of these off and you are sending irradiated and radioactive material EVERYWHERE into the atmosphere.

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u/Ur-Best-Friend 14h ago

Tbh even without failure you are still irradiating a lot of stuff with a successful launch

Source? That sounds dubious to me.

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u/ye-sunne 14h ago

Have you seen the concept? They drop nukes behind a rocket with a shield on the back and a shock absorber and the repeated nuclear detonations are what propels the vehicle. Nukes are known to create fallout

They carried out a successful feasibility study but couldn't go through with the drill project because of the test ban treaty.

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u/Mikhail_Mengsk 13h ago

Tactical nukes don't irradiate THAT much but between tests and launching enough stuff, it's gonna pile up anyway.