Principles of Rocket Propulsion
A rocket is a machine that develops thrust by the rapid expulsion of matter. The major components of a chemical rocket assembly are a rocket motor or engine, propellant consisting of fuel and an oxidizer, a frame to hold the components, control systems and a cargo such as a satellite. A rocket differs from other engines in that it carries its fuel and oxidizer internally, therefore it will burn in the vacuum of space as well as within the Earth's atmosphere. The cargo is commonly referred to as the payload. A rocket is called a launch vehicle when it is used to launch a satellite or other payload into space. A rocket becomes a missile when the payload is a warhead and it is used as a weapon. At present, rockets are the only means capable of achieving the altitude and velocity necessary to put a payload into orbit.
Terms to Describe Rocket Power There are a number of terms used to describe the power generated by a rocket.
Thrust is the force generated, measured in pounds or kilograms. Thrust generated by the first stage must be greater than the weight of the complete launch vehicle while standing on the launch pad in order to get it moving. Once moving upward, thrust must continue to be generated to accelerate the launch vehicle against the force of the Earth's gravity. To place a satellite into orbit around the Earth, thrust must continue until the minimum altitude and orbital velocity have been attained or the launch vehicle will fall back to the Earth. Minimum altitude is rarely desirable, therefore thrust must continue to be generated to gain additional orbital altitude. The impulse, sometimes called total impulse, is the product of thrust and the effective firing duration. A shoulder fired rocket such as the LAW has an average thrust of 600 lbs and a firing duration of 0.2 seconds for an impulse of 120 lbsec. The Saturn V rocket, used during the Apollo program, not only generated much more thrust but also for a much longer time. It had an impulse
Terms to Describe Rocket Power There are a number of terms used to describe the power generated by a rocket.
Thrust is the force generated, measured in pounds or kilograms. Thrust generated by the first stage must be greater than the weight of the complete launch vehicle while standing on the launch pad in order to get it moving. Once moving upward, thrust must continue to be generated to accelerate the launch vehicle against the force of the Earth's gravity. To place a satellite into orbit around the Earth, thrust must continue until the minimum altitude and orbital velocity have been attained or the launch vehicle will fall back to the Earth. Minimum altitude is rarely desirable, therefore thrust must continue to be generated to gain additional orbital altitude. The impulse, sometimes called total impulse, is the product of thrust and the effective firing duration. A shoulder fired rocket such as the LAW has an average thrust of 600 lbs and a firing duration of 0.2 seconds for an impulse of 120 lbsec. The Saturn V rocket, used during the Apollo program, not only generated much more thrust but also for a much longer time. It had an impulse