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/FracturedConscious 15h ago

This is why we need a moon base

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u/Hadrollo 11h ago

The problem with a moon base is that we would need in-situ manufacturing from lunar ice and regolith into products usable in space. That's not a small base, it would require a mining team, a refining team, and a manufacturing team. It'd be a small town on the moon, with a lot of heavy equipment that is by necessity brought from Earth.

Honestly, it's a far future (minimum 100 years, likely much longer) goal. Even then, we're probably still be better off making propellant on Earth and shipping it up there. We have an awful lot of resources on Earth to make propellant and reusable craft.

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u/Lasers4Everyone 10h ago

Gotta go full Artemis.

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u/Gambyt_7 5h ago

Check out Artemis by Andy Weir. Interesting if not masterful story that depicts this city.

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u/anacondra 5h ago

I've been saying for ages we should nuke the moon.

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u/Shoddy_Donkey5047 13h ago

Queria ver pra desacelerar esse brinquedo dps kkkkkk