History of Rocket

	Revision 4 . . (edit) December 14, 2001 12:05 am by (logged).200.130.xxx [typo (missle to missile)]
	Revision 3 . . December 12, 2001 5:49 am by Chenyu
	Revision 2 . . December 12, 2001 3:51 am by The ansible [more on nuclear, reference to spacecraft propulsion]
	Revision 1 . . November 28, 2001 8:09 am by The ansible [initial entry, needs more work]

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Difference (from prior major revision) (minor diff, author diff)

Changed: 3c3,4

Rockets are commonly used when it is necessary to carry all the fuel a vehicle needs (such as in outer space) and there is no other substance (land, water, or air) that a vehicle may push itself with.

Rockets are commonly used when it is necessary to carry all the fuel a vehicle needs (such as in outer space) and there is no other substance (land, water, or air) that a vehicle may push itself with. There are many different types of rockets, and a comprehensive list can be found in spacecraft propulsion.

Changed: 5c6

A chemical [rocket engine]? may use solid fuel, like the [Space Shuttle's SRBs]?, or liquid fuel, like the Space Shuttle's main engines. A chemical reaction is initiated with the fuel in the combustion chamber, and the hot gasses are forced out the rear of the rocket. This causes the rocket itself to be thrust forward.

Most current rockets are chemical rockets. A chemical [rocket engine]? may use solid fuel, like the [Space Shuttle's SRBs]?, or liquid fuel, like the Space Shuttle's main engines. A chemical reaction is initiated with the fuel in the combustion chamber, and the hot gasses are forced out the rear of the rocket. This causes the rocket itself to be thrust forward.

Changed: 7c8

Nuclear-powered rockets have also been developed, but never put into use. Public opinion and various international treaties prohibit their development and use, even though their performance would make interplanetary missions much more practical.

Nuclear-powered thermal rockets have also been developed, but never put into use.

Changed: 9c10,12

Rockets were first developed by the Chinese a long time ago (how long?), using gunpowder. These were initially developed for entertainment, the precursors to modern fireworks. It was not until much later that they were used as weapons in warfare.

Rockets were first developed by the Chinese a long time ago (how long?), using gunpowder. These were initially developed for entertainment, the precursors to modern firework but were soon adapted for warfare. Because the pressures on the rocket walls are lower, the use of rockets in warfare preceded the use of the gun, which required a higher level of metal technology.

Changed: 13,15c16

In military terminology, a rocket is generally solid-fueled and unguided. These are typically fired by ground-attack aircraft at fixed targets such as buildings. Whereas a missle? can be either solid or liquid-fueled, and has a [guidance system]?. See spacecraft propulsion for more types of rocket engines.

In military terminology, a rocket is generally solid-fueled and unguided. These are typically fired by ground-attack aircraft at fixed targets such as buildings. Whereas a missile can be either solid or liquid-fueled, and has a [guidance system]?.