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What Is Rocket Used For?

Rockets are used to launch satellites and Space Shuttles into space. Their powerful engines allow spacecraft to be blasted into space at incredible speeds, putting them into the correct orbit.29 Oct 2013
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European rockets

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Rockets are used to launch satellites and Space Shuttles into space. Their powerful engines allow spacecraft to be blasted into space at incredible speeds, putting them into the correct orbit. Europe's most important rocket family is the Ariane. Since 1979, five main types of Ariane rocket have flown from Kourou, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

The basic version of Ariane-5, called the Ariane-5 Generic, first flew successfully in 1997. It weighed 750 tonnes at launch. It could lift two satellites weighing a total of more than six tonnes into orbit.

To compete with large launchers from other countries, more powerful Ariane 5s have been developed. The Ariane-5 ECA can deliver up to 10 tonnes into orbit, and in the future will deliver even more than this. Another version, called Ariane-5 ES, carries the 19 tonne Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATVs) into low-Earth orbit, at the start of their journey to the International Space Station (ISS).

Although communications satellites are generally becoming bigger, there is still a need for a small launcher to launch other types of satellites. Europe decided to build its own low-cost, solid fuelled rocket called Vega. This rocket can place satellites weighing 300 to 2000 kg into different orbits. Vega’s first launch from Kourou took place on 13 February 2012.

Europe also agreed with Russia to launch Soyuz from Kourou. The first Soyuz launch from South America took place on 21 October 2011. Soyuz is a mid-size rocket that has been used successfully by Russia for many years. ESA satellites such as Cluster and Mars Express were previously launched by Soyuz from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It also launches crewed missions to the ISS from Baikonur.

Last modified 29 October 2013

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9 Related questions Answers found

What is the purpose of the rocket?

Rockets are now used for fireworks, missiles and other weaponry, ejection seats, launch vehicles for artificial satellites, human spaceflight, and space exploration. Chemical rockets are the most common type of high power rocket, typically creating a high speed exhaust by the combustion of fuel with an oxidizer.

What is rocket and how it works?

Rockets work by expelling hot exhaust that acts in the same way as the basketball. The exhaust's gas molecules don't weigh much individually, but they exit the rocket's nozzle very fast, giving them a lot of momentum. As a result, the rocket moves in the opposite direction of the exhaust with the same total oomph.

What do rockets do in space?

We launch things into space by putting them on rockets with enough fuel — called propellant — to boost them above most of Earth's atmosphere. Once a rocket reaches the right distance from Earth, it releases the satellite or spacecraft.

How do rockets land on Earth?

Currently, SpaceX rockets use 4 landing legs that are folded against the rocket's body during flight. These then fold out using gravity prior to landing. But, Elon Musk stated in January 2021 that for SpaceX's largest rocket ever, the Super Heavy booster, they would aim to “catch” the rocket using the launch tower arm.

How did Elon Musk learn about rockets?

He says that Musk literally taught himself rocket science by reading textbooks and talking to industry heavyweights. Cantrell's first contact with Musk was a cold call in 2001.

What fuel do rockets use?

The rocket's main engines use a combination of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Hydrogen has the lowest molecular weight of any known substance, making it ideal for keeping the weight of a rocket relatively small. When combined with liquid oxygen, hydrogen creates the most efficient thrust of any rocket propellant.

How do rockets come back to Earth?

When the astronauts want to return to Earth they turn on the engines, to push their spacecraft out of orbit. Gravity then pulls the spacecraft back towards the Earth. The spacecraft may be slowed to a safe landing speed by parachutes.

How does a rocket take off?

Rockets take off by burning fuel. Burning fuel produces gas as a byproduct, which escapes the rocket with a lot of force. The force of the gas escaping provides enough thrust to power the rocket upwards and escape the the force of gravity pulling it back to Earth. Simple!

How do rockets fly in space without oxygen?

In space, rockets zoom around with no air to push against. ... Rockets and engines in space behave according to Isaac Newton's third law of motion: Every action produces an equal and opposite reaction. When a rocket shoots fuel out one end, this propels the rocket forward — no air is required.