Rocket

Lore & Background

The conception of the rocket began when Senku realized that the source of the petrification ray was an orbital satellite. To stop it, they needed to send a counter-signal or antidote directly to space, a feat impossible with pre-petrification technology available on Earth. This realization shifted the Kingdom's focus from mere survival and agriculture to high-level aerospace engineering. The project required the synthesis of liquid hydrogen and oxygen, materials that had to be produced from scratch using electrolysis and distillation methods derived from basic chemical principles. Construction was a monumental effort involving the entire island community. From carving the massive fuselage out of stone and wood to forging the intricate combustion chamber, every step relied on the 'Science is Magic' philosophy. The rocket represented the first time in thousands of years that humanity attempted to leave their home planet again. Its completion signified that the Kingdom of Science had not only recovered lost knowledge but had advanced it enough to challenge the very gods who petrified them.

In Their Own Story

The desert air shimmered with heat as the massive white cylinder stood tall against the horizon, a stark contrast to the rugged stone landscape surrounding it. Senku adjusted his goggles, his eyes scanning the final pressure gauges while Taiju tightened the last bolt on the fuel intake line. The silence of the island was broken only by the low hum of the cooling fans and the rhythmic clinking of tools. As the countdown began, a hush fell over the gathered crowd—Kohaku stood ready with her spear, Gen monitored the telemetry from his makeshift control station, and Yuzuriha held her breath. With a roar that shook the very ground beneath their feet, the engines ignited, spewing a pillar of blue fire into the sky. The rocket lifted slowly at first, then surged upward, leaving a trail of smoke that stretched toward the heavens, carrying the dream of a restored world.

Reader's Guide

The creation of the rocket relies on fundamental principles of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, adapted for a post-apocalyptic setting with limited resources. Senku's team first had to synthesize liquid hydrogen by electrolyzing water using solar power and copper wire electrodes, then distilling it to separate the gas from oxygen. Next, they constructed the fuselage using layered stone and wood reinforced with resin, creating a lightweight yet heat-resistant structure capable of withstanding launch stresses. The combustion chamber was engineered to mix the cryogenic fuels precisely, requiring high-pressure pumps made from compressed springs and hand-forged metal parts. The step-by-step process involved building an electrolysis plant, establishing a cryogenic storage system using insulated stone containers, and finally assembling the rocket stages. This achievement allowed the Kingdom of Science to launch the antidote satellite, directly leading to the reversal of the petrification ray and the restoration of human civilization.

Did You Know?

• The rocket's fuel was created entirely from water found on Earth, split into hydrogen and oxygen through solar-powered electrolysis.
• Senku had to invent liquid oxygen storage technology from scratch since no pre-existing cryogenic tanks survived the petrification event.
• The launch required precise timing to ensure the antidote reached the correct orbital path to intercept the petrification ray source.
• This was the first time in over 3,700 years that a human-made object successfully left Earth's atmosphere.