Why Rockets Perform A Gravity Turn After Launch
Regular viewers of orbital rocket launches would have noticed that rockets do not travel in a straight line to Space but follow a curved trajectory. This path is made possible…
How A Rocket Is Hold Upright And In Place On A Launchpad
An orbital rocket, eclipsing most multistory buildings, looks delicately balanced on a launchpad, supported only by the launch tower. In reality, though, specific mechanisms ensure the vehicles stay securely upright….
Strap-On Boosters – What They Are And Why They Are Used On Orbital Rockets
A special type of rocket booster is so widely used during orbital rocket launches that it almost seems standard practice. But it raises the question of what strap-on boosters are…
Can Rockets Be Nuclear Powered?
Nuclear reactors power some of the world’s largest aircraft carriers and submarines, raising the question of whether orbital rockets can also make use of this power source. Here, things get…
How Reaction Control Systems Allow Spacecraft To Maneuver In Space
Orbital rockets use one of the most powerful forms of propulsion ever invented to carry them to Space and orbit. However, how spacecraft are able to maneuver in Space is…
Why Orbital Rockets Are Unable To 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 Or Procedures Involved In An Orbital Rocket Launch
Although they differ slightly from one launch vehicle to another, most orbital rockets follow a similar procedure or sequence during a launch. We examine the specific steps involved before and…
How Rocket Engines Stay Cool And Don’t Melt
Temperatures inside rocket engines and nozzles can reach up to 3 300° Celsius or 6 000° Fahrenheit. This will melt the most metals, raising the question of how rocket engines…
How Fast Rockets Must Travel To Reach Space Or Completely Break Free From Earth’s Gravitational Pull
After an orbital rocket is launched, it seems to rise very slowly from its launchpad, but in minutes, it is traveling at hypersonic speeds, raising the question of how fast…
What Are The 4 Towers Around A Rocket Launchpad?
With average heights of 58 meters or 190 feet, most orbital rockets are taller than large multistory buildings. Four towers surrounding the rocket at a launch complex, though, eclipse even…