Super-Earths in need for Extremly Big Rockets

Michael Hippke

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arXiv · 1803.11384

Super-Earths in need for Extremly Big Rockets

Michael Hippke

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Abstract

Many rocky exoplanets are heavier and larger than Earth, so-called "Super-Earths". Some of these may be habitable, and a few may be inhabited by Super-Earthlings. Due to the higher surface gravity on these worlds, space-flight is much more challenging. We find that chemical rockets still allow for escape velocities on Super-Earths up to 10x Earth mass. Much heavier rocky worlds, if they exist, will require using up most of the planet as chemical fuel for the (one) launch, a rather risky undertaking. We also briefly discuss launching rockets from water worlds, which requires Alien megastructures.

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Michael Hippke. 2018-03-30. Super-Earths in need for Extremly Big Rockets. https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.11384

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