Rocket

Rocket

A rocket is a vehicle, spacecraft, aircraft or other device that obtains thrust from a rocket engine. Rocket engine exhaust is formed entirely from propellant carried within the rocket. Rocket engines work by action and reaction and push rockets forward simply by expelling their exhaust in the opposite direction at high speed, and can therefore work in the vacuum of space.

History

The earliest rockets were used as propulsion systems for arrows, and may have appeared as early as the 10th century in Song Dynasty China. The technology gradually spread to the Middle East, Europe, and other regions. Rockets became a significant tool during the 20th century, particularly in World War II, the Cold War, and the Space Age, where they were used in early ballistic missiles and space exploration.

Principle of operation

Rockets create thrust by expelling mass backwards in a high-speed stream. This follows Newton's third law of motion. A rocket, unlike a jet engine, carries everything it needs for propulsion. This allows it to operate in the vacuum of space.

Types of rockets

There are many different types of rockets, and a comprehensive list can be found at List of rockets. Some of the more commonly known types include the Saturn V, which was used in the Apollo moon missions, and the Space Shuttle.

See also

• Rocket (disambiguation)
• Rocket engine
• Rocket launch
• Rocket propellant
• Rocket sled
• Rocket sonde
• Rocket stove
• Rocket vehicle

External links

• NASA

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