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arXiv:1804.04727 [physics.pop-ph]AbstractReferencesReviewsResources

Spaceflight from Super-Earths is difficult

Michael Hippke

Published 2018-04-12Version 1

Many rocky exoplanets are heavier and larger than the Earth, and have higher surface gravity. This makes space-flight on these worlds very challenging, because the required fuel mass for a given payload is an exponential function of planetary surface gravity, $\sim 3.3\,\exp(g_{\rm 0})$. We find that chemical rockets still allow for escape velocities on Super-Earths up to 10x Earth mass. More massive rocky worlds, if they exist, would require other means to leave the planet, such as nuclear propulsion.

Comments: Serious version of the April Fool's idea (arXiv:1803.11384). Submitted on April 4th 2018
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