Why Rockets Perform A Gravity Turn After Launch
Frequent viewers of orbital rocket launches would have noticed that rockets do not travel straight up to Space but follow a curved trajectory. This path is made possible by a…
How A Rocket Is Hold Upright And In Place On A Launchpad
As it towers several stories high, a rocket seems delicately balanced on its launchpad, supported only by the launch tower. In reality, though, specific mechanisms ensure the vehicles stay securely…
Strap-On Boosters – What They Are And Their Purpose On Orbital Rockets
A specific type of rocket booster is so widely used during orbital rocket launches that it almost seems to be a regular occurrence. But this raises the question of what…
Can Rockets Be Nuclear Powered?
Some of the world’s largest aircraft carriers and submarines are powered by nuclear reactors, raising the question of whether orbital rockets can also benefit from this energy source. Here, things…
How Reaction Control Systems Allow Spacecraft To Maneuver In Space
They use one of the most powerful means of propulsion ever invented to carry them to Space and orbit, but how are spacecraft able to maneuver once in Space? This…
Why Orbital Rockets Don’t Launch From Underwater
A modern, nuclear-armed submarine is capable of launching its missiles while submerged, which travel thousands of miles to the target. This raises the question of why orbital rockets cannot be…
The Steps Involved In An Orbital Rocket Launch
They may differ from one launch vehicle to another, but most orbital rockets follow a similar procedure (or steps) during a launch sequence. We examine the specific steps involved before…
How Rocket Engines Stay Cool And Don’t Melt
The temperatures inside rocket engines & nozzles can reach up to 3 300° Celsius or 6 000° Fahrenheit. This will melt the most metals, which raises the question of how…
How Fast Rockets Must Travel To Reach Space And Go Beyond
After orbital rockets are launched, they seem to rise very slowly from their launchpad, but in minutes, they are traveling at hypersonic speeds, raising the question of how fast rockets…
What Are The 4 Towers Around A Rocket Launchpad?
With an average height of 58 meters or 190 feet, most orbital rockets are taller than large multistory buildings. But four towers surrounding the rocket at a launch complex eclipse…