Rocket Propulsion

Rocket Propulsion

What is a rocket?

A rocket can be various things but most commonly a rocket is a tall, thin, round vehicle that propels into space. A particular engine can also be called a rocket and any vehicle with that engine can also be labelled a rocket.

How Does a Rocket Engine Work?

Along with most engines, rockets burn fuel. Most rocket engines turn the fuel into hot gas. The engine shoves the gas out its back. The gas makes the rocket propel forward. There are two main types of rocket engines. Some rockets use liquid fuel whereas others use solid fuels. The main engines on the space shuttle orbiter use liquid fuel. On the side of space shuttles are two white, solid rocket boosters that use solid fuels.

Why Does a Rocket Work?

In space, an engine has nothing to push against. Rockets work by a scientific rule called Newton's third law of motion. More than 300 years ago, scientist, Sir Isaac Newton listed three Laws of Motion. The third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The rocket pushes on its exhaust thus the exhaust pushes the rocket, too. The rocket pushes the exhaust backward. The exhaust makes the rocket travel forward.

When Were Rockets Invented?

The first rockets ever knowingly created were in China in the 1200s. These solid rockets were used for fireworks. Also various armies used them in wars. In the next 700 years, people made bigger and better solid rockets. Many of these were used for wars too. Using a Saturn V rocket in 1969, USA launched the first men to land on the moon.  

                    first rocket ever launched (Cape Canaveral July 1950)