Key Information
Types of Rockets
| Definition | A vehicle capable of launching something into orbit |
| First Rockets | 1957 (USSR) and 1958 (USA) |
| Most Powerful Rocket | Starship (16,700,000 lb thrust, in 2024) |
Learning Point
- Various designs of rockets are used to help reach space, whether delivering humans or cargo into orbit. For many years, rockets focused on powerful launches, with no focus on recovering the parts used to launch. Recent designs have looked at enabling some or all of the parts of the rockets to be recovered.
Project
- Design a rocket using one of the methods we described in the class.
- Overview
- Space Launch Vehicles
Fun Facts
- The Space Shuttle and the Buran (built by the USSR) were designed to be almost completely reusable, with the “plane” section returning to land like a normal aircraft.
- The most powerful rockets, such as the N1 and the Saturn V have been designed to only return the crew compartment.
- Blue Origin and SpaceX have several projects in progress to develop completely reusable space launch vehicles, such as the Shepherd and New Glenn, Falcon 9 and Starship.
- One of the current goals is to put a rocket into orbit and refuel it there to enable it to go further on its missions.
Past Lessons
| 172 | April 9, 2024 | (North America) |