Rocket Science – Explained Easy

The basic rule behind rocket science is Newton’s third law of motion: "For every action, there is an equal and opposite (in direction) reaction" which he discovered around 300 years ago. You can imagine how basic rocket science is. But that’s not it. There’s much more. We’ll see the basics and fundamentals behind rocket science. In this article, I’ll be giving answers to some common questions that people usually ask or look for.

What is Rocket Science?

Rocket science in Physics is based on taking machines into space in order to achieve specific goals. Most commonly, nowadays, satellites are launched into space. But how do these satellites reach there? It involves rocket science to take these machines into space.

How Rocket Science Works?

Firstly, we’ll know what a rocket is made up of. A rocket is usually made up of a payload, a guidance system and a propulsion system.

 

Payload.       A payload is part of a rocket that carries a satellite, human beings, or any other cargo that is destined to reach the rocket’s destination for the primary functioning of the operation.

Guidance system.           It includes an advanced set of sensors, computers, communication equipment and radars. In addition to providing stability to the rocket, this system also controls the movements of the rocket during the rocket’s projectile motion towards its target. Three primary functions of this system include guiding the rocket where it is going, Navigating the instantaneous position of the rocket and controlling the rocket for its movement.

Propulsion System.        This system produces thrust at the start of the mission for launching the rocket. This system includes the fuel system, oxidizer, pumps, combustion chamber, nozzle and exhaust.

 

A rocket must cross thick layers of the atmosphere during its motion. So, it has to go extremely fast to cross the difficult part of the atmosphere. In order to escape, a rocket pushes against the ground with a force. Resultantly, the ground pushes the rocket in the opposite direction (Newton’s third law of motion; every reaction has an equal but opposite reaction). The rocket’s engine pushes against the ground downwards (by burning fuel in the presence of an oxidiser). This combustion process throws out a large amount of mass which is released at great speed through nozzles fixed at the bottom of the rocket and the ground forces the rocket to move upwards in reaction to this released mass.

 

Why is Rocket Science So Hard?

Definitely, rocket science is not easy. That’s why "rocket science" is used as a metaphor for difficult and complex tasks. Rocket science involves almost every engineering field in its work and is mathematically widespread. Compared to earth, rocket science is easier in space than on earth because scientists have to overcome the gravity issues on earth in order to move the rocket into space.

Who Invented Rocket Science

Rockets date back to the 13th century when they were used in China during the Sung dynasty. The first military rocket is known to have been used in 1232 when the Chinese used fei huo tsiang (flying fire lances) against the Mongols. But Dr. Robert Hutchings Goddard is considered to be the father of modern rocket propulsion. Dr. Robert conducted practical experiments in the early 20th century. He flew a liquid propellant rocket in 1926. Dr. Robert published a relevant pamphlet, "A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes" in 1919. Wernher von Braun, a German-American, was another aerospace engineer and space architect considered to be leading figure in the development of rocket science. He led the team of German engineers who developed ballistic missiles during the Second World War. This rocket was the first to have the capability of reaching space.

How to study Rocket science?

You must excel in physics to become a rocket scientist early in your educational career in order to enrol in Aerospace engineering. Modern day rocket science involves three basics that are required to be mastered to study rocket science including following. All these three fields are covered in aerospace engineering:-

• The fuel and its applications.
• The Physics to get the rocket off the ground.
• Materials and build of the rocket.

Crucks and Interesting Facts?

• The word "rocket" came from the Italian rocchetta, meaning "bobbin" or "little spindle", given due to the similarity in shape to the bobbin or spool used to hold the thread from a spinning wheel (source: "Wikipedia").
• The first private launch into Earth orbit was held in 2010 by SpaceX, a private company.
• The Juno space aircraft, carried by an Atlas V rocket, was launched to begin its 5-year journey to Jupiter in 2011.
• The Chinese were the first to develop rockets using gunpowder projectiles in battle in 1232 AD.
• A rocket needs at least 11 KM per second velocity to escape the earth’s atmosphere (this velocity is termed as escape velocity).
• Modern-day rockets use both solid and liquid fuel for their launching.
• NASA has so far launched more than 200 piloted rockets for its space missions.