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Why doesn't a rocket in space need to use its engine to keep moving?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
In space there is no air resistance, so no force slowing the rocket down. Once in orbit round the earth it will continue indefinitely without using its engine. It would go in a straight line but the earth's gravity makes it stay in orbit. If it is further accelerated out of orbit by the rocket motor it will start to leave earth but eventually come to a point where the gravity from another body such as the moon is stronger and then it will accelerate towards that body, again without needing to use the motor. The motor is only needed to change speed, not to continue at the same speed, or to simply react to gravity forces.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
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Why doesn't a rocket in space need to use an engine to keep moving in space?
Because there is no friction in space to slow the rocket down. Once the rocket is at its cruising speed, the engine can be switched off. Of course, that means that you have to use a different engine (pointing forwards) to slow down and stop the rocket since friction won't do it for you.
A space probe may be carried by a rocket into outer space what keep the probe moving after the rocket no longer pushes it?
Inertia.
Why wouldn't you hear the roar of a rocket engine in space?
Space is essentially a vacuum. Sound needs a medium to travel through to be heard. Therefore the sound of a rocket engine cannot be heard in space.
Why is nasa moving back to space rocket instead of space shuttle?
It is cheaper and more efficient.
What keeps the probe moving in space after the rocket no longer pushes it?
Inertia.
Does a rocket have an engine?
yes, a rocket does have a engine. the engine is the horse power to a rocket that gets it to go... and keep going... and keep going. as long as it has a good engine then it would be a pretty long ride in to space.
What does the engine do on a space rocket?
Provide thrust ... which changes velocity.
How was the first rocket launged in space?
The first "rocket" successfully launched into space was actually a V-2 missile. The first rocket-ship that was successfully launched into space used rocket engines. A rocket engine pushes the rocket forward by expelling its exhaust in the opposite direction at a high speed.
What happends to fule after it leaves the rocket in space?
The fuel, spelled F-U-E-L, is burned or autocombusts (in the case of hydrazine), and the exhaust shoots out of the rocket engine, propelling the rocket in the opposite direction. After it leaves the engine, it spreads out into space.
Can you use petrol as a fuel in rocket engine?
Rocket fuel contains oxygen, which is not found in space. A rocket in space could theoretically work in space if it were to carry its own oxygen, but other fuels such as hydrogen are more efficient.
What keeps a rocket from falling back to the surface or moving off into space?
because of gravity. In space there is a very low gravity that makes it hard for the rocket to fall back to the surface
What parts make a rocket ship work outter space?
The Engine
