Before we learn about rockets, we have to know what rocket science is. Rocket Science is the study of rockets and their design. A few jobs you can work with when you have a degree in rocket science is NASA and SpaceX. In these jobs, you have to do many calculations, plan trajectories, make rocket engines, and calculate fuel use. A famous person working in this field was Qian Xuesen. He founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He lived from 1911-2009. I found interesting about this scientist is that he went to MIT and went back to China to work in aerodynamics. Qian Xuesen is important because he founded NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I would love to have a career in this topic because I love Rockets and their concepts.

First, we need to understand what a rocket is. A rocket is a spacecraft, missile, aircraft, or anything which obtains thrust from a Rocket engine.

Next, we have the payload. The payload is the part of the rocket which is bringing something to space. It can be astronauts, artificial satellites, or cargo.

Then, comes Fuel. Rockets need fuel to operate. The fuel is usually made up of liquid hydrogen.

Rockets also need oxygen. They need oxygen because the rocket will be operating in a airless environment.

The Rocket has “skin”. It is the TPS or the Thermal Protection System. It protects the rocket from extreme heat caused by air friction. It also helps keep a cool environment inside the rocket.

Everything in the body of the Rocket is the Propulsion system, excluding the payload. The Propulsion System includes everything needed to lift the rocket off the ground. Fuel, Frame, Oxidizer, Pumps, the fins, and finally the nozzle.

Pumps – pumps the fuel and the oxygen to the Combustion chamber

Fin – helps stabilize the rocket and helps air flow

Nozzle – the rocket engine. Contains the throat and the combustion chamber.

Combustion Chamber – combines the fuel and oxygen to make pressurized gas

Throat – where the pressurized gas reaches the speed of sound (343 m/s)

Nozzle – where the pressurized gas leaves the rocket at speeds higher than speed of sound because of the bell shape

Anything else I did not mention will be provided in the picture below