rocketry

When someone today mentions rocketry or rockets, most people immediately think of NASA and space travel. However, rocketry or rockets or rockets were being studied long before NASA began. Rockets were first described by an Italian in 1379 and in the early 15th century, the French reported extensive use of war rockets. Perhaps the most far reaching development in rocketry occurred in 1687 when Sir Isaac Newton detailed what became to be known as the Universal Laws of Motion. What Newton described was a mathematical model that made rockets work. Newton’s Third Law of Motion stated that “For every action there is an equal, but opposite reaction.” Newton theorized that if an object could be fired fast enough and at a high enough altitude, it would not fall, but could achieve an orbit around the earth. This principle is known today as the reaction thrust. Although the exact date remains a mystery, it is believed that the reaction principle was first demonstrated about 360 B.C. by a Greek named Archytas. Through the early 1900s, the study of rocketry involved many avenues such as rocket cars, gliders, train cars and snow sled as well as guided missiles used by the military. This paper will look at the history of rocketry or rockets, Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion, some terminology related to rockets and space travel, as well as the history of NASA and space travel as we know it today.

The History of Space Exploration
Before one can begin to look upon the aspects of rocketry today, one must understand the history of how and why rocketry began. Space exploration began even before Galileo took a closer look at the Sun. Space Exploration is generally the use of astronomy and modern technology to discover facts and to explore outer space. There are many benefits of space exploration, which include scientific research, bringing unity in different nations, ascertaining the future survival of humanity and increasing military and strategic advantages