If intelligent life exists on a superearth it would be trapped there because rockets wouldn't be able to reach orbit. In fact 1.4g seems to be the max that chemical rockets can escape. Maybe they could built an electromagnetic launcher on top of a absolutely huge ramp.
Or they would be forced to figure out technology that we would consider science-fiction, assuming it's possible. To consider our tech as the pinnacle is the wrong approach, I think.
Perhaps we've had it too easy here - moderate climate, oil as an easy fuel source, and gravity that isn't too oppressive. I wonder what technology would arise in a more difficult environment, such as this superearth.
Ironically I think you’d be more likely to go to space on such a planet. Imagine being barely able to jump, let alone fly. You would want to leave more than anything. It would be like a space race, against the universe.
I’m imagining some sort of mega cannon or railgun as a propulsion method to fling them off the planet.
