What makes rocket fuel burn in space?

Answer 1

The exhaust from a rocket propels it by reactive thrust. As the hot gases expand, they exit the rocket, giving the rocket an equal force in the opposite (upward) direction. Note that the exhaust does not have to "push against" anything to give the rocket its momentum. However, the constraints of expansion while the rocket is near the ground (normally at liftoff) will give it additional apparent thrust, known as "ground effect" (which is much more evident in helicopters than in other aerial vehicles).

Answer 2

Rocket engines burn fuel in order to produce thrust force in the direction opposite to their exhaust nozzles. The whole purpose of the process is to move the vehicle in the desired direction. A lot like the process and purpose of burning gasoline in your car, really.

Answer 3

Oxidizer, of course.

A rocket has two separate tanks: one for fuel, one for oxidizer. The two are mixed in the combustion chamber and the mixture ignited causing it to burn and create thrust.

Answer 4

Rockets need a lot of fuel because they need to fly up really high into space, and they want to make sure they have enough so the people inside don't get hurt because it runs out of fuel.

Answer 5

They use liquid fuel because it is more portable and safer than nuclear or other more expensive energies.

Answer 6

carbon dioxide

Answer 7

carbon nitroxide

Answer 8

Oxegen