Bare Minimum Tech for Spaceworthy Vessel

In my story, a planet of low-tech natives in the midst of war are abruptly brought into contact with a much more advanced empire. There are many historical precedents for this kind of event, and occasionally the natives are able to fight back. Now, in order to mount an effective defense, these natives must have space vessels.

My question is, how basic can I make the natives' tech and still have them be able to create spaceworthy vessels? For example, we build our space vessels with steel. But could it be done with bronze? We propel our spaceships with highly advanced compounds, but could it be done with gunpowder?

Edit: There's no need to take my examples literally. I was not seriously considering the idea of a bronze spaceship, it's just an example of the kind of low-tech making-do I'm looking for.

Edit: So as to help our natives along a little bit, we'll say this planet has half of Earth's gravity.

What technological advancements are absolutely necessary for travel into space?

posted almost 7 years ago

Megalonychidae‭

1 reputation 3 0 0 0