Rockets

Coryn A. L. Bailer-Jones

doi:10.1017/9781009700429.004

3 - Rockets

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 June 2026

Coryn A. L. Bailer-Jones

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Coryn A. L. Bailer-Jones: Affiliation:
Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg

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Summary

Space exploration to date relies heavily on rockets. Although most rockets have been driven by chemical propellants, there are many other types of rocket, such as ion engines and nuclear rockets. In this chapter we look at the general principles of a rocket, regardless of the mechanism used to generate thrust. We derive the important rocket equation and examine its consequences for space travel.

Keywords

rocket rocket equation effective exhaust velocity specific impulse thrust braking staging energy efficiecy launching

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: The Physics of Interstellar Travel , pp. 30 - 47
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009700429.004 [Opens in a new window]
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2026
Creative Commons: This content is Open Access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence CC-BY-NC 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/cclicenses/

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