How rockets rise — Astronomy, 4–6 years
A rocket can rise because it pushes hot gas downwards. The push in the opposite direction sends the rocket upwards, even where there is no air to push against.
A rocket pushes down
Inside a rocket, fuel burns and makes very hot gas. The rocket sends that gas down through its engine, and the rocket moves up as the gas moves down.
Why use rockets?
Earth pulls things towards the ground, so a spacecraft needs a strong, lasting push to leave the ground and reach space. Rockets solve this problem by carrying their fuel with them.
A rocket test
Blow up a balloon and hold its opening shut. Let go: air rushes backwards, and the balloon shoots forwards. A rocket works in a similar way, but its engine sends hot gas down instead.
A common mix-up
Many people imagine that a rocket must push against air, like a swimmer pushes water. That seems sensible because planes need air, but rockets carry their own fuel and gas, so they can work in empty space.
Rockets outside school
Rockets carry people, satellites and space probes away from Earth. Launch teams watch fuel, direction and speed carefully, because a small change can send a spacecraft along a very different path.
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