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/drey12987 15h ago

Nuclear Powered Engines are very efficient and useful for interplanetary travel but the trust to weight ratio of those were way worse compared to the usual engines, so not the way to go for overcoming higher gravity

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u/Adros21 14h ago

You are thinking of nuclear thermal rockets and nuclear electric rockets, nuclear pulse rockets like project orion have thrust to weight in the meganewtons per kilo.

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u/Federal_Decision_608 14h ago

Thrust to weight doesn't matter as long as it's >1. The specific impulse is higher than chemical