Astronomy
Space Exploration
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Beyond the Solar System
For thousands of years, humans have been fascinated
by the night sky and what lays beyond it.
Watch the history of Space Exploration
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Gravity and Space
The idea of feeling weightless in space and jumping many
times further than you could on Earth may seem exciting,
but your body needs gravity in order to remain healthy!
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The use of Rockets in Space
A rocket is a tube-like object, some
shaped like a paper towel roll, that is
sent flying into the air when its fuel is lit
on fire. These tube-like objects come in
many different shapes and sizes and
have many different purposes.
Hundreds of years ago, the ancient
Chinese used rockets as weapons and
fireworks. Only about 33 years ago, the
first trip to the Moon in a rocket was
successful. Now, rocket scientists are
coming up with new and better rockets
to explore space in the future.
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Forces on a Rocket
In flight, a rocket is subjected to four forces;
weight, thrust, lift and drag.
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Forces on a Rocket
Weight is the force generated by the gravity on the rocket.
Direction of weight
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Forces on a Rocket
Lift is a force used to stabilize and control the direction of
flight.
Direction of lift
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Forces on a Rocket
Thrust is the force which moves the rocket forward.
Direction of thrust
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Forces on a Rocket
Drag is the wind resistance experienced by the rocket
Direction of drag
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