Powerful Rockets And Interplanetary Space Travel example essay topic

Rocketry and Space Exploration Rocketry systems have greatly evolved over the past 2000 years which has lead to the development and acceleration of space exploration. The field of scientific research has led to the exposure of many intelligent and talented individuals. One of the major contributors to the research and development in rocketry systems is a scientist named Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. The earliest solid rocket fuel was in the form of gunpowder in the 3rd century B.C. The reaction principle was first demonstrated by Archy tas in 360 B. C and again by Hero of Alexandria in the 1st century B. C, through the use of a steam power reaction wheel called the 'aeolopile,' which used propulsion principles. By 1045 A.D. the use of gunpowder and rockets formed an integral aspect military tactics as weapons, e.g. 'fire arrows. ' From 1045 to the late 1800's, the knowledge of rockets spread throughout the world and rockets were used in war.

The reaction principle was defined in 1687 when Sir Isaac Newton published the "Universal Laws of Motion". In the 16th century the first description of multi-stage rockets were suggested and in 1855 the first multi-stage rocket was introduced. 'Congreve' rockets were developed in England in the early 19th century; these rockets had a greater range and were more accurate. 'Hale' rockets with stabilizer fins were introduced in the late 19th century which had superior range accuracy compared to the Congreve rockets. In 1881, Russian Nikolai Kibalchich is believed to have designed the first rocket propelled aircraft 3. Tsiolkovsky published a report in 1903 that proposed liquid propellants would give improved range to rockets.

First successful guided missile was launched in 1918. In 1926, a scientist named Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket. In 1928 rocket aircraft were tested. In 1945 the Soviet initiates its space program. Von Braun successfully launched a liquid fueled rocket named the 'A 2' in 1934 and the powerful and accurate 'A 4' or V-2 ballistic rocket in 1942.

On October 4, 1957, Russia launched the world's first successful artificial satellite, named 'Sputnik'. NASA was established in 1958 and with the help of Von Braun, NASA developed powerful V-2 rockets named 'Red stones,' a variant of the Redstone named 'Jupiter C' launched the U. S's first satellite in 1958. The Russian Luna 2, launched in 1959, was the first space craft to reach the moon. On April 12, 1961, Soviet Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. The communication satellite, Telstar, was used in 1962. In 1965, the USSR launched Voskhod 2, upon which the first space walk was done.

The U. S developed the 'Saturn V' rockets in the late 1960's which propelled Apollo 11 to the moon in 1969. In 1973, America's first space station, named Skylab, was launched aboard a two-stage Saturn V rocket. The first landing on Mars was in 1967. The first test mission for the U. S's Space shuttle was in 1981. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST), launched by the space shuttle Discovery in 1990. The first part of the International Space Station was launched in 1998, and construction is still continuing.

The Soviet and U. S have launched many rockets, space craft and satellites over the past 40 years which have mapped most of our solar system. Space exploration has made gigantic advancements over the past 50 years and should continue to in the future. The Russian physicist, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935), is considered to be true pioneer in the field of rocketry and astronautics. Tsiolkovsky was a strong believer in rocketry for space exploration, "From the moment of using rocket devices a new great era will begin in astronomy". Tsiolkovsky made numerous important contributions to the field [of rocketry and astronautics] through his research and development which has significantly benefited and accelerated rocketry design and space exploration.

Tsiolkovsky stated, "The Earth is the cradle of the mind, but we cannot live forever in a cradle". This shows Tsiolkovsky's strong belief in the concepts of space and interplanetary travel. In 1979, Tsiolkovsky released his earliest manuscript, titled "Astronomical Drawings". This manuscript gave precise interplanetary distances and distances from satellites (moons). This manuscript had the impact of allowing scientists in the future to calculate: How long it would take to reach planets and moons at certain speeds (in theory or in future). The orbital patterns of planets and moons, which is essential when sending satellites or space craft to other planets / moons.

Amounts of fuel needed for rockets for certain space travels. In 1883, Tsiolkovsky released another manuscript titled "Free Space". In this work, Tsiolkovsky described the life and ways of motion in free space, zero gravity, altitude control by gyroscopes and drew the primitive design of a true space craft, which moved in outer space with the help of reactive forces. This manuscript would have contributed / led to the: Development of rockets using the reactive force principle detailed in Tsiolkovsky early rocket drawings. Figure 1: Tsiolkovsky's early rocket design from "Free Space" (1883) Knowledge of forces experienced by space craft. Knowledge of forces that would be experienced by cosmonauts in Space (weightless of cosmonauts shown in figure 2).

Development of gyroscopes for altitude control and research into other altitude controlling systems. Concept of an airlock to allow cosmonauts to exit into space. In 1883, Tsiolkovsky designed his first dirigible, which would have led to further research in the field of aircraft and flight control. In 1897, Tsiolkovsky developed the "Air-Dynamic Tube" (model). This wind tunnel, the first in Russia, was built by was designed to study the problems of aerodynamics.

It was designed and created to study the best air-dynamics shape for his dirigibles and airplanes. This development had a major impact on aircraft design in the future as optimum aerodynamic shapes for rockets and space craft could be researched and tested. On May 10, 1897, Tsiolkovsky created the "Tsiolkovsky Equation". This equation established the relationships between rocket speed, the speed of the gas at exit and the mass of the rocket and its propellant, this fundamental principle remains basic to contemporary astronautics. It wasn't until 1903 that the Tsiolkovsky Equation was published in the article "Exploration of the Universe with Reaction Machines", in the monthly magazine "The Science Review", Issue five.

The Tsiolkovsky equation was the first theoretical proof of the possibility of spaceflight. Tsiolkovsky believed that only the exhaust velocity of escaping gases limited the speed and range of a rocket. This knowledge led to the development of rockets with greater speeds and ranges. The Tsiolkovsky formula allowed scientists to: Theoretically prove spaceflight was a possibility, which sparked interest into interstellar travel. Theoretically calculate rocket powered travel in a vac ume, which is essential for navigation in space. At the time the technology was not available but Tsiolkovsky's work paved the way for the future.

Demonstrate that a rocket could fly faster than its exhaust and achieve escape velocity, which gave insight to thrust required to escape the Earth's atmosphere. In 1903 Tsiolkovsky published an article titled, "Research into Interplanetary Space by Means of Rocket Power", which set out for the first time, the correct theory of rocket power. Quoted from this article, Tsiolkovsky states, "Man will not always stay on Earth". This shows Tsiolkovsky's determination for space travel. In this article, Tsiolkovsky clearly outlined in scientific terms exactly how a reaction thrust motor could demonstrate Newton's Third Law and allow man to escape the bounds of Earth. This report suggested that space rockets have to use liquid engines using two components: fuel and oxidizer, with the optimum combination would be hydrogen and oxygen, but the most useful combination would be kerosene and oxygen.

The concept of liquid hydrogen / oxygen combustion fuel is still used today, therefore Tsiolkovsky predicted the most practical and efficient fuel to be used. Tsiolkovsky's suggestion of liquid fuels was a major development which had the impact of allowing for future long range, more accurate, powerful rockets and interplanetary space travel. In this report Tsiolkovsky designed an early space craft in which "a metal elongated chamber [rocket design]... the chamber contains a large supply of materials [fuels] which, when combined, immediately form an explosive mass". This is the basic principle which inspired researchers such as Robert H. Goddard to develop liquid fueled rockets. Tsiolkovsky described the effects of living under zero gravity in space rockets, and considered possible ways of protecting cosmonauts from the high gravity forces of space launch and re-entry. This gave an insight to possible conditions that cosmonauts could experience in space and led to further research in G-forces on cosmonauts.

Tsiolkovsky suggested it would be possible to regulate the temperature inside space rockets with the help of special outer coverings differing the solar reflectivity 18, this aided in the selection of the optimum materials to be used for the exterior of space craft. Tsiolkovsky also suggested the construction of long duration, near-Earth and interplanetary space stations, and eventually "Space Islands" that hold thousands of people. This development has not yet been achieved but may be possible in years to come. In 1926, Tsiolkovsky published a document titled, "Plan of Space Exploration", which entailed the 16 steps of space conquest, from the first rockets, until the far distant future, including interstellar travel.

These steps are listed below: 1) Creation of rocket airplanes with wings. 2) Progressively increasing the speed and altitude of these airplanes. 3) Production of real rockets-without wings. 4) Ability to land on the surface of the sea. 5) Reaching escape velocity (about 8 Km / second ), and the first flight into Earth orbit. 6) Lengthening rocket flight times in space.

7) Experimental use of plants to make an artificial atmosphere in spaceships. 8) Using pressurized space suits for activity outside of spaceships. 9) Making orbiting greenhouses for plants. 10) Constructing large orbital habitats around the Earth. 11) Using solar radiation to grow food, to heat space quarters, and for transport throughout the Solar System. 12) Colonization of the asteroid belt.

13) Colonization of the entire Solar System and beyond. 14) Achievement of individual and social perfection. 15) Overcrowding of the Solar System and the colonization of the Milky Way (the Galaxy). 16) The Sun begins to die and the people remaining in the Solar System's population go to other suns. Many of these points eventuated and in chronological order, these steps would have sparked interest in scientists to develop wingless-rockets as in point 3, and to develop rockets which could reach the escape velocity and leave the Earth's atmosphere. His calculation of the escape velocity was correct and would later be useful for calculating thrust needed to leave Earth's atmosphere.

The later steps may some day be conquered just as Tsiolkovsky suggested. In 1929, Tsiolkovsky released a report titled, "The Space Rocket Trains", which suggested the concept of multi stage rockets that would be powerful enough to reach escape velocity and fly to Earth orbit. This concept was adapted as multi-stage rockets allows for a lot of thrust power, but as a part of the fuel is used, the fuel tank containing the fuel can be dropped, lightening the rocket. Therefore Tsiolkovsky was correct in suggesting multi-stage rockets for space launch and had a major impact on rocketry launch design. In 1929, Tsiolkovsky designed "The New Airplane" (model). Which was a huge, intercontinental, multi engine, all metal airplane 19.

This was conceived as a step in the development from airplanes to space rockets, which would have aroused interest in new design of aircraft. Below is Tsiolkovsky's concept of the use of an airlock and space suit to enter and exit a space vehicle in weightlessness 20. Airlocks were developed and are necessary for survival in space; therefore Tsiolkovsky had another impact on space craft design. According to Blagonravov (1965, pg. 237), Tsiolkovsky provided the first technical discussion of an artificial Earth satellite. According to this statement, Tsiolkovsky's thoughts on artificial satellites could have led the way for future successful satellites. Tsiolkovsky was honored by the Soviets; this helped to account for the U.S.S.R.'s advances with rocket-assisted airplane takeoffs and small meteorological rockets of the 1930's and U.S.S. R's space achievements of the 1950's and 1960's 22.

With the knowledge of great men such as Tsiolkovsky, rocketry designs and space exploration will continue to progress. Some scientists believe it is only a matter of time until we colonize space, as Stephen Hawking once said, "I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space". So how long will it be? 1 Lethbrige, 'History of Rocketry- Chapter 1', 2000 2 Bradley, 'Brief History of Rocketry', 1995 3 Lethbrige, 'History of Rocketry- Chapter 2', 2000 4 Microsoft Encarta, 2003, Tsiolkovsky 5 Tsiolkovsky, 1896, pg. not available 6 Tsiolkovsky (1911) From a letter 7 Madry, 'Tsiolkovsky Scientific Biography' 1997 8 Madry, 'The work of Tsiolkovsky', 1997 9 Madry, 'Tsiolkovsky Scientific Biography' 1997 10 ALLSTAR, 'Konstantin E. Tsiolkovsky', 1995 11 Madry, 'The work of Tsiolkovsky', 1997 12 James and Leon, 'Brief History of Rocketry', (Date not available) 13 Warren, 2002, pg. 25 14 Tsiolkovsky, 1903, pg. not available 15 Lethbrige, 'Konstantin Eduardovitch Tsiolkovsky', 2000 16 Wade, 'The Foundations of the Space Age', 2003 17 Tsiolkovsky, 1903, 18 Wade, 'The Foundations of the Space Age', 2003 19 Madry, 'Tsiolkovsky Scientific Biography' 1997 20 Madry, 'The work of Tsiolkovsky', 1997 21 Stedillie, 'Propulsion', 1994 22 Melkumov, 1964,125-162 23 Hawking, 2001, interview

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