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So if we start with a rocket ship in outer space, in a vacuum,
and start throwing out particles in one direction (that is, fire up
the booster rockets) the vehicle has to move in the opposite
direction so that the center of mass remains fixed in the same
place that it started. The more particles we throw out, and the
faster we throw them, the further and quicker the vehicle must move
in the opposite direction to keep the center of mass unchanged.
Start with an example of two astronauts floating next to each other. One
astronaut pushes the other. Both go flying away from each other. Next,
consider an astronaut with a bag of heavy stones. He starts throwing the
stones forward. His hand pushes the stone and the stone pushes back on his
hand. With each stone, the astronaut speeds up a little bit. After
throwing many stones, the astronaut is moving quite fast. A rocket engine
throwing billions of molecules out of its tail is based on the same
principle. Of course, the rocket engine throws its fuel molecules much
faster than an astronaut throws stones.
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
Originally posted by SantaClaus
So I have a theory that will probably be debunked by the first person that responds to my thread. Instead of using rockets to go STRAIGHT up into space, against ALL that atmosphere and inertia, why not use a plane's technology to get some of that atmosphere off your back? In other words, get at a cruising altitude, and then go further. Like a shuttle, except going UP.
Originally posted by SantaClaus
Ok, I understand the stones and the astronaut acting on each other, but they are both weightless. How do they act on each other with no gravitational pull?
I'm still not sure how things BEGIN movement in a vacuum.
So while we're at it, can anyone help me understand initial movement in a vacuum.
So the question is, by using a plane's natural affinity to get high in our atmosphere, couldn't we then have a much more fuel-efficient way of getting into space?