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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / How can spacecraft achieve auto-propulsion in space?
« on: 22/11/2011 16:17:11 »
As you can see in the rather substandard drawing of a combustion chamber I have made below, the rocket fuel is injected into the rockets combustion chamber and ignited. The ignited fuel attempts to expand and exerts force in equally in all directions. As there is a hole in one end of the chamber (the rocket nozzle or whatever) the forces are not equalized and the net effect is for the rocket to shoot off in the opposite direction to the escaping gases.
[diagram=653_0]
Here is a better explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine#Principle_of_operation
And a better diagram:
[diagram=653_0]
Here is a better explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine#Principle_of_operation
And a better diagram: