Technologies for Space Exploration
Technologies for Space Exploration
Describe technologies for space travel:
-Multistage rockets * Propelled by the recoil pressure of the burning gases it emits as it burns fuel * Most modern, high performance rockets are multistage * Multiple rockets stacked on top of each other that detach separately * Reasons for staging are * To improve performance by eliminating dead weight during flight * A huge, empty fuel tank is merely dead weight so it is dropped off to reduce weight later in flight * Maintain acceleration by reducing thrust in mid-flight * Immense thrust required to lift fully loaded rocket is way too much for the almost empty rocket later on in flight (acceleration would be too much for both man and rocket) * Engines with lower thrust are usually used on each proceeding stage * Spent engines dropped off along with empty fuel tanks * Most Earth bond rockets (e.g. fireworks) are single stage and traveling short distances are sufficient. However, for larger rockets that need to travel into space, single stage not enough and multistage rocket required * Two types of multistage rockets staging * Series stage * Second stages fires after first stage finished * Most common * Most space rockets (e.g. explorer I, Saturn V) have been series-staged * As many as 5 stages * Popular method is to cluster sever rockets together to provide greater thrust without having to build larger rocket * Stages of Rocket launch * Primary stage * First rocket engine to engage * Provides initial thrust to send the rocket skyward * Usually the first stage is larger than others because it must transport weight of entire rocket * This engine continues to operate until its fuel is exhausted then separates from rocket and falls to ground * Secondary
Describe technologies for space travel:
-Multistage rockets * Propelled by the recoil pressure of the burning gases it emits as it burns fuel * Most modern, high performance rockets are multistage * Multiple rockets stacked on top of each other that detach separately * Reasons for staging are * To improve performance by eliminating dead weight during flight * A huge, empty fuel tank is merely dead weight so it is dropped off to reduce weight later in flight * Maintain acceleration by reducing thrust in mid-flight * Immense thrust required to lift fully loaded rocket is way too much for the almost empty rocket later on in flight (acceleration would be too much for both man and rocket) * Engines with lower thrust are usually used on each proceeding stage * Spent engines dropped off along with empty fuel tanks * Most Earth bond rockets (e.g. fireworks) are single stage and traveling short distances are sufficient. However, for larger rockets that need to travel into space, single stage not enough and multistage rocket required * Two types of multistage rockets staging * Series stage * Second stages fires after first stage finished * Most common * Most space rockets (e.g. explorer I, Saturn V) have been series-staged * As many as 5 stages * Popular method is to cluster sever rockets together to provide greater thrust without having to build larger rocket * Stages of Rocket launch * Primary stage * First rocket engine to engage * Provides initial thrust to send the rocket skyward * Usually the first stage is larger than others because it must transport weight of entire rocket * This engine continues to operate until its fuel is exhausted then separates from rocket and falls to ground * Secondary