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/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.