Interstellar Journey
Ethan Sullivan
| 28-08-2023
· Science Team
The journey of human space exploration began with the roar of rockets and flame jets. This miraculous technology opened the door to the stars for us.
Since the middle of the last century, internationally renowned rockets have not only transformed our understanding of the universe but have also spawned countless scientific, technological, and commercial advances.
These rockets, with their exquisite engineering and groundbreaking innovations, have created shocking chapters one after another in their magnificent journey from the earth to boundless space.
The principle of rocket lift-off is based on Newton's third law and the principle of rocket propulsion.
1. Newton's third law: Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when the rocket ejects high-velocity gas, it creates a thrust in the opposite direction, which propels the rocket itself.
2. Principle of rocket propulsion: The principle of rocket propulsion is based on the conservation of momentum. There is fuel inside the rocket, and high-speed gas injection is generated by burning the fuel. This injection process is the key to rocket propulsion. According to Newton's third law, the ejected gas will produce a thrust in the opposite direction, thereby pushing the rocket forward.
The specific steps of rocket launch are as follows:
1. Fuel combustion: The fuel and oxidizer inside the rocket are mixed and ignited, producing gas of high temperature and pressure.
2. Jet high-velocity gas: Since the gas released by combustion needs an outlet, it will be discharged through the nozzle or nozzle at the bottom of the rocket. When the gas passes through the nozzle, it will generate an upward thrust due to the high-speed injection. According to Newton's third law, the rocket itself will obtain a downward thrust and start to rise.
3. Propellant consumption: As the fuel and oxidizer are burned, the mass of the rocket gradually decreases. Due to the reduced mass of the rocket, the same thrust will produce a greater acceleration according to the law of conservation of momentum.
4. Longitudinal separation: Rockets are usually designed as a multi-stage structure, each stage has its own fuel and engine. When the first stage runs out of fuel, it is separated and the rest of the rocket continues to operate. This multi-stage structure helps to send the rocket's payload to a higher orbit.
By repeating the above steps, the rocket can overcome the gravity of the earth, gradually enter a higher orbit, and finally achieve the goal of lift-off and space exploration.
There are many internationally renowned rockets that have played an important role in space exploration, scientific research, and commercial activities. Here are some internationally famous rockets:
1. Falcon Series (US - SpaceX): The Falcon series of rockets developed by SpaceX includes Falcon 1, Falcon 9, and Falcon Heavy. Among them, the Falcon 9 has become a reusable rocket, successfully realizing the recovery and reuse of the rocket, reducing the cost of space launch.
2. Ariane Series (Europe - Arianespace): Ariane series rockets are operated by Arianespace for commercial and scientific launch missions. Among them, Ariane 5 is a heavy-duty rocket used to launch heavy loads into Earth orbit and sun-synchronous orbit.
3. Long March / Chang Zheng (China - China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation): China's Long March series of rockets (also known as the Long March series) are used to launch satellites, manned space missions, and probes. China's aerospace industry has achieved remarkable development in recent years, successfully launching several important missions.
4. Launch Alliance family (Delta/Atlas) (US - United Launch Alliance): United Launch Alliance (ULA) operates the Delta and Atlas family of rockets, which are used to launch a variety of payloads, including satellites, space probes, and defense missions.
5. Hubble Space Telescope Rocket (United States - NASA): The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope carried by a rocket launched by NASA. It observes many cosmic mysteries in space and makes important contributions to astronomical research.
These are just some of the many internationally famous rockets. Every country and private enterprise is constantly striving to innovate and develop rocket technology suitable for different tasks and needs, which promotes the continuous development and progress of the space field.
Rockets, as human beings' firm belief in pursuing the unknown, will continue to lead us to the future of space. As technology continues to evolve, we may be able to go to Mars one day, or spy on more distant galaxies.
In this eternal exploration, the rocket will always be our carrier, carrying the dreams and courage of human beings, traveling through the void and marching towards a wider universe.