The Only Countries Capable Of Human Spaceflight – And The Orbital Rockets They Use
Since Yuri Gagarin became the first human to reach Space in 1961, over 600 people have been to Space. Yet, less than a handful of countries are capable of human…
What Is A Rocket Interstage?
All orbital rockets are multistage launch vehicles that require two or more stages, each with its own propulsion system, to reach orbit. A rocket interstage or interstage adapter forms a…
What Is Solid Rocket Fuel?
In recent times, fuels like RP-1, hydrogen & methane are often compared and discussed. However, solid rocket fuel is the oldest form of rocket propellant and still forms an integral…
Using Liquid Hydrogen As Rocket Fuel – Pros And Cons
For over half a century, RP-1 propellant has been the fuel of choice to power orbital rocket’s first stages. For their upper stages, though, liquid hydrogen is primarily used. We…
Using Liquid Methane As Rocket Fuel – Advantages & Drawbacks
For decades, RP-1, liquid hydrogen, solid rocket, and hypergolic fuels were the propellant of choice for rocket manufacturers. In recent years, though, liquid methane has become an attractive alternative for…
Using RP-1 As Rocket Fuel – Advantages & Disadvantages
The Saturn V rocket that was used during the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s carried 810 700 liters of RP-1 fuel in its first-stage boosters. But what exactly…
The Different Materials Used To Make Orbital Rockets
The Saturn V rocket that launched astronauts to the Moon had more than three million moving parts made of various materials. The materials used in modern orbital rockets need to…
How Loud Is A Rocket?
The roar of an orbital rocket lifting off is so loud it’s not only still deafening at a distance of 3 miles away, but its vibrations can also be felt…
How Rocket Engines Ignite
The red hot gases blowing out the back of a rocket as it launches into space are the result of the fuel and oxidizer mixing under high pressure, but something…
The Most Widely Used Rocket Launch Sites Around The World
Whenever a rocket launch is mentioned, one inevitably thinks of Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. There are, however, multiple prominent launch facilities located around the world that serves the…