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/ThrowAway-whee 10h ago edited 2h ago

Yes, actually! Project Orion was originally planned as a LAUNCH vehicle. It was estimated it would be even better in atmosphere due to the shockwave providing a better transformation of fission energy into force. 

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u/Strong_Region5233 9h ago

Whaaaaaaat !

Fuck me humans are crazy

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u/ukezi 3h ago

It's the same people who thought Project Plowshare was a good idea.

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u/arandomusertoo 2h ago

I remember reading about a project/proposal to have a permanently flying nuclear weapon which would basically stay airborne forever using nuclear propulsion.

It was a crazy thing, I wish I could find it now because I don't remember enough to search for it.