Unit E section 2.0 Flashcards
What is the speed that an object must travel to overcome earths gravity?
At least 28 000 km/h.
What is the significance of the date October 4, 1957?
the Soviet Union became the first country in the world to launch an artificial satellite.
What law does rocketry rely on?
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
How do rockets demonstrate newtons 3rd law?
Rockets use gas under pressure confined in a chamber or tank. An opening in the chamber allows the gas to be released, producing thrust (push) and causing the rocket to be propelled in the opposite direction.
What are the three basic part to a rocket?
The structural and mechanical elements,
the fuel,
the payload.
What are the structural and mechanical elements?
Everything from the rocket itself to engines, storage tanks, and the fins on the outside.
What is the fuel of a rocket?
Liquid oxygen, gasoline, and liquid hydrogen.
How does rocket fuel work?
The mixture is ignited in a combustion chamber, causing the gases to expand and leave as exhaust.
What is a payload of a rocket?
The materials needed for the flight, including crew cabins, food, water, air, and people.
What is an ion drive?
Ion drives are engines that use xenon gas instead of chemical fuels
How do ion drives work?
The xenon is electrically charged, accelerated, and then emitted as exhaust. This action pushes the spacecraft in the direction opposite to the emission.
What are the cons to ion drives?
The thrust generated by an ion drive is 10 000 times weaker than the thrust achieved by today’s chemically fuelled rocket engines
What is a pro to and ion drives?
The thrust from an ion drive lasts an extremely long time
How do solar sails work?
The Sun emits electromagnetic energy in the form of photons. The solar sails being tested are made of carbon fiber. When the photons hit the sail, the energy transmitted causes the spacecraft to move.
What are the three main types of spacecraft in use?
Shuttles
Space probes
And space stations
What is the function of shuttles?
Shuttles transport personnel and equipment to orbiting spacecraft.
What is the function of space probes?
They contain instrumentation for carrying out robotic exploration of space