Introduction to Rocketry

Ms. PachecoAdvanced and Conceptual

PhysicsPhysical Science

Did you know…•Rockets were used

in many famous battles, including one famous battle during the War of 1812.

Cont.• During the battle, at Baltimore’s

Fort McHenry, a young poet named Francis Scott Key watched the rocket bombardment and wrote a poem about “the rocket’s red glare/the bombs bursting in air”

Cont.•Later, set to

music, that poem became the “Star-Spangled Banner”

Most believe…• Rockets were

invented by the Chinese around the 11th century AD

• These early rockets were used by the Chinese to repel invaders, such as the Mongols.

By the 13th century…• The use of the rockets had spread to

the Middle Eastern countries where they were known as “Chinese Fire Arrows”

• These early rockets were little more than tubes stuffed with gunpowder.

• When the gunpowder was ignited, it exploded and produced hot gasses that “pushed” the rockets into flight.

Eventually…• The use of rockets for both warfare

and entertainment spread worldwide.

• However, it has only been since the last three hundred years that rocket experimenters have actually understood the scientific principles behind the motion of rockets.

Rocketry as a science…• Got its start in 1687 with the

publishing of a book in 1687 by an English scientist named (Sir) Isaac Newton

• In his work, Newton stated that three important scientific principles govern the motion of all objects, whether on earth or in space.

Part of a rocket• Nose cone• Fins• Body• Engine

Nose Cone• Carries the payload or cargo• Payload may include astronauts,

satellites, scientific instruments, etc.

• To minimize friction, the nose cone should have a rounded or bullet shape

Fins• Keep the rocket flying straight• Without fins, the rocket would

tumble out of control• Fins must also be located at the

rear of the rocket unless the rocket has an onboard computer-controlled guidance

Rocket body• Holds the propellant and rocket

engine• Fins are attached to the rocket

body

Engine• Engines normally burn a

combination of chemicals called propellant.

• Propellant usually consists of two parts: fuel and oxidizer.

• Without the oxidizer, the rocket fuel could not burn because there is no oxygen in space.

Forces Affecting Flight

•Thrust•Gravity•Drag

Thrust• Thrust is the force generated by a

rocket engine that propels the rocket

• Must be greater than the pull of gravity for a rocket to fly upward

Gravity• Gravity is the downward force

applied to all objects on earth.• More force is required to lift a

heavy rocket than a light one.• The heavier the rocket, the more

thrust is needed to overcome the gravity and lift the rocket into space.

Drag• Drag is the amount of air

resistance or friction on the rocket as it flies.

• Drag is minimized by reducing the frontal surface area of the rocket and by having a smooth exterior finish

Soviet Union or USA?• 1957 – First satellite in space• 1958 – First dog in space• 1959 – First photo of far side of

moon• 1959 - First spacecraft to orbit

moon• 1961 – First manned spacecraft to

orbit Earth

Soviet Union or USA?• 1963 – First woman is space• 1964 – First spacecraft to “soft – land”

on the moon• 1965 – First space walk• 1966 – First spacecraft to land on the

moon• 1968 – First people to orbit the moon• 1969 – First people to walk on the moon

Soviet Union or USA?• 1957 – First

satellite is space • 1958 – First dog

in space• 1959 – First photo

of far side of moon

Soviet Union or USA?• 1959 - First

spacecraft to orbit moon

• 1961 – First manned spacecraft to orbit Earth

Soviet Union or USA?• 1963 – First woman is

space• 1964 – First spacecraft to

“soft – land” on the moon• 1965 – First space walk

Soviet Union or USA?• 1966 – First spacecraft to

land on the moon• 1968 – First people to orbit

the moon• 1969 – First people to walk

on the moon