Header image: Artist’s impression of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docking with the International Space Station (image source: NASA/SpaceX.) In previous installments, we discussed the rocket equation, rocket propulsion, and how they govern the ability of a rocket to perform a… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: Spacecraft Maneuvering and Control
Header image: Artist’s impression of an Apollo capsule re-entry (image source: NASA.) One of the most harrowing parts of a spacecraft’s journey is atmospheric entry. When it collides with the air at thousands of kilometres per hour, the gasses heat… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: Re-entry and Hypersonic Flight
Header image: Computational fluid dynamics simulation of a NASA X-43A hypersonic aircraft (image source: NASA.) Recall the last time you watched a rocket launch. About a minute into ascent, you may have heard Launch Control call out “Max q!”. But… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: Max q and Bernoulli’s Principle
In our previous article, we covered the basics of rocket engines, but we only scratched the surface when it came to fuel-oxidizer combinations. While hydrogen-oxygen and kerosene-oxygen dominate the world of launch vehicles, numerous other propellant combinations are in common… Read More »Rocket Physics, Extra Credit: Rocket Fuels
Header image: Artist’s impression of Perseverance in powered descent under its skycrane (image source: NASA/JPL-Caltech.) Perseverance successfully landed on Mars in 2021! Previous installments of Rocket Physics, the Hard Way have discussed the rocket equation and astrodynamics in the context… Read More »Rocket Physics Special: The Physics of Perseverance
This is a follow-up to Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: How to go to Mars which covered the basics of orbital mechanics. Building on our foundation of intuitive understanding, we will now cover the more technical aspects. What is an… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: How to go to Mars – Extra Credit