Rocketpedia
Everything You Need to Know About Rockets
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Rocket of the Day
Check out today's featured launch vehicle!
Type: Medium-lift to Heavy-lift orbital
Payload: Up to 18,810 kg to LEO
Versatile and reliable rocket used for military, civilian, and commercial payloads. Known for its many configurations.
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Rockets are vehicles or projectiles that obtain thrust from a rocket engine. Rocket engine exhaust is formed entirely from propellant carried within the rocket. They work based on Newton's Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The story of rockets spans centuries, starting with early gunpowder experiments in China, advancing through pioneers like Tsiolkovsky, Goddard, and Oberth, culminating in the Space Race and today's reusable launch systems.
Components & Stages
- First Stage: Provides initial thrust.
- Boosters: Additional thrust for heavy lifts.
- Interstage: Connects stages.
- Second/Upper Stage: Pushes payload to final orbit.
- Payload Fairing: Protects the satellite/spacecraft.
- Guidance System: Brains of the rocket.
Propulsion Systems
- Liquid-fueled: Precise control (e.g., LOX/RP-1).
- Solid-fueled: High thrust, simple (e.g., SRBs).
- Hybrid: Combines liquid oxidizer & solid fuel.
- Electric/Ion: High efficiency for deep space.
Launch & Tracking
- Vertical launch from pads.
- Controlled ascent trajectory.
- Stage separation events.
- Global tracking networks monitor flight.
- Recovery of reusable components.
- Sputnik 1 (1957): First artificial satellite.
- Vostok 1 (1961): Yuri Gagarin, first human in space.
- Apollo 11 (1969): First humans on the Moon.
- Space Shuttle Program (1981-2011): Reusable orbiter.
- Falcon 9 Landing (2015): First orbital booster landing.
- James Webb Space Telescope (2021): Advanced space observatory.
Historically dominated by government agencies like NASA and Roscosmos, the space launch industry now sees significant involvement from private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab, driving innovation and reducing costs.
NASA, ESA, Roscosmos
SpaceX, Blue Origin, ULA