Introduction to Rocketry

1. Introduction to Rocketry Ms. Pacheco Advanced and Conceptual Physics Physical Science

3. Did you know… • Rockets were used in many famous battles, including one famous battle during the War of 1812.

4. 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”

5. Cont. • Later, set to music, that poem became the “Star-Spangled Banner”

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Rocket body • Holds the propellant and rocket engine • Fins are attached to the rocket body

14. 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.

22. Forces Affecting Flight • Thrust • Gravity • Drag

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

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

29. Soviet Union or USA? • 1959 - First spacecraft to orbit moon • 1961 – First manned spacecraft to orbit Earth

30. Soviet Union or USA? • 1963 – First woman is space • 1964 – First spacecraft to “soft – land” on the moon • 1965 – First space walk

31. 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