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Astronautics: The Development and Science of Rockets

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Abstract

In this chapter we learn about some of the history of rocketry and the fundamental principles that underline the subject. Crucial to any rocket calculations is the ability to determine its velocity increment under multiple staging conditions. We explore this by using example calculations and learn that there is a close connection between the mass of a rocket and the final velocity that it may attain. Using this knowledge we briefly review some of the rockets used in historical space programs and discuss some ideas for the near future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Icarus Interstellar Fellow British Interplanetary Society, Berkshire, UK

    K. F. Long Bsc, Msc, CPhys (Vice President (Europe)

Authors
  1. K. F. Long Bsc, Msc, CPhys
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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Long, K. (2012). Astronautics: The Development and Science of Rockets. In: Deep Space Propulsion. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0607-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0607-5_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-0606-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-0607-5

  • eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)

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