Comment on Lmao
gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de 3 weeks ago
If the planet is massive enough, getting to orbit becomes a real challenge because fuel consumption scales roughly exponentially with the mass of a planet (delta-v formula, rocket equation).
This leads to an almost sharp cut-off for the maximum mass that a planet can have so that a rocket which utilizes chemical fuel (e.g. methane+oxygen) can still reach orbit successfully. This maximum mass is roughly 10^26 kg.
For reference: Earth’s mass is around 6*10^24 kg.
If anything, it’d be a bias towards spaceplane designs over straight up rockets. As long as the atmospheric density relative to the gravity supports it, offloading some of the acceleration to high atmospheric flight using ram/scramjets can massively reduce the launch vehicle mass (don’t need to carry oxidisers for the flight stage).
That being said, it also would be a bias against high orbits and space exploration in general; safe re-entry is tricky enough on earth.
What if, and hear me out… Giant trebuchet?
I propose going to the south pole and just letting go??
I suspect that atmosphere composition makes different options more or less viable.
The difficulty/cost getting to orbit probably also would influence where a space elevator lands in terms of developmental priority.
I did not know that. It’s because it interferes with gravity? I’m dumb sorry
Not enough gravity, the atmosphere will drift away from the planet with the help of solar winds etc. Too much gravity, and the ammount of fuel you need to leave the plannet weighs more than the rocket the fuel is being used to lift can carry.
That’s interesting! Thank you!!
modus@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
We really are in the Goldilocks Zone, aren’t we?
HopeOfTheGunblade@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
Well, yes. In the middle of the goldilocks zone that is based on the environment we are adapted to is where you would expect to find us :p
modus@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Haha fair point.
grrgyle@slrpnk.net 3 weeks ago
Anthropic principle ftw
Sam_Bass@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Only if there are not sentient life forms on that planet capable of getting off it