Spaceflight from Super-Earths is difficult · HackerPapers discussions

Spaceflight from Super-Earths is difficult — mentioned by BizarroLand

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 22:43:37 GMT

https://arxiv.org/html/1804.04727v2 A larger earth with the same average density of Earth that has 1.3 Gs of surface gravity would need around twice the fuel to escape into space and a system that could handle that extra fuel and longer burn without self-destructing. The fuel itself would weigh more, and thus require more fuel to lift. The fuel to lift that fuel would also weigh more and would also require more fuel, etc, and the radius of gravity to escape would also be larger even though it would also be mediated somewhat by the inverse square rule. I actually wouldn't be surprised if you…

Paper and discussion history. A mention is not an endorsement.

Spaceflight from Super-Earths is difficult — mentioned by scottlocklin

Tue, 21 May 2019 17:26:17 GMT

>No, it isn't. We think it's possible because we have extensive experimental data on fusion reactions from Earthbound experiments. From those experiments we know a wide range of possible conditions that can produce sustained, controlled fusion. There is zero evidence sustained, controlled, above break-even fusion works at the types of energy densities people talk about for power plants. None; keine, zero, zilch: there is arguably as much evidence for this as the existence of ghosts or leprechauns. The models don't work! I ain't saying we shouldn't try, but there are by now reasonable…

Paper and discussion history. A mention is not an endorsement.

Spaceflight from Super-Earths is difficult — HN submission

Fri, 27 Apr 2018 15:16:33 GMT

Spaceflight from Super-Earths is difficult

58 points; 88 discussion replies on HN. Paper and source history. A submission is not an endorsement.

Spaceflight from Super-Earths is difficult — HN submission

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:57:23 GMT

Spaceflight from Super-Earths is difficult

3 points; 0 discussion replies on HN. Paper and source history. A submission is not an endorsement.