Launching Satellites and Probes
Crewless spacecraft called space probes are carried by rockets on long voyages to explore the solar system. This system has been utilized to explore the sun, moon, and all the planets in our solar system. Scientific instruments on board gather information about the planets and transmit data back to Earth. Probes have landed on the surface of Venus, Mars, Saturn's moon Titan, and our moon.
Artificial satellites are lifted into orbit around the Earth by rockets as well. Some gather information for scientific research, and others relay telephone conversations, radio, and television broadcasts across the oceans. Weather satellites are used to track climate patterns and help scientists to predict the weather. Navigation satellites, such as those that make up the Global Positioning System, or more commonly known as GPS, enable receivers anywhere on Earth to determine their location with tremendous accuracy. Armed forces utilize satellites to observe enemy facilities and movements, as well as to communicate, monitor weather, and watch for missile attacks. Many of these satellites use small rocket engines to maintain their proper orbit.
Rockets that launch the satellites and probes are called launch vehicles. Most of them have two to four stages. The stages lift the satellite to its proper altitude and give it enough speed to say in orbit. This is around 17,000 miles per hour. A space probe must reach around 25,000 miles per hour in order to escape Earth's gravity and continue on their voyage.
The first launch vehicles were made by military rockets or sounding rocket that were modified to carry spacecraft. Stages were added to some of these rockets in order to increase the speed. Today, engineers sometimes attach smaller rockets to launch vehicles. These extra rockets, called booster, give additional thrust to launch heavier spacecraft.
Artificial satellites are lifted into orbit around the Earth by rockets as well. Some gather information for scientific research, and others relay telephone conversations, radio, and television broadcasts across the oceans. Weather satellites are used to track climate patterns and help scientists to predict the weather. Navigation satellites, such as those that make up the Global Positioning System, or more commonly known as GPS, enable receivers anywhere on Earth to determine their location with tremendous accuracy. Armed forces utilize satellites to observe enemy facilities and movements, as well as to communicate, monitor weather, and watch for missile attacks. Many of these satellites use small rocket engines to maintain their proper orbit.
Rockets that launch the satellites and probes are called launch vehicles. Most of them have two to four stages. The stages lift the satellite to its proper altitude and give it enough speed to say in orbit. This is around 17,000 miles per hour. A space probe must reach around 25,000 miles per hour in order to escape Earth's gravity and continue on their voyage.
The first launch vehicles were made by military rockets or sounding rocket that were modified to carry spacecraft. Stages were added to some of these rockets in order to increase the speed. Today, engineers sometimes attach smaller rockets to launch vehicles. These extra rockets, called booster, give additional thrust to launch heavier spacecraft.