Launch vehicle facts for kids
A launch vehicle (also called a carrier rocket) is a special type of rocket. It is used to send things like satellites or spacecraft from Earth into outer space. These rockets are super powerful! They can take a "payload" (that's the stuff they carry) to different places. This could be another spot on Earth or far away into space.
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What Launch Vehicles Do
Some rockets travel just a short distance into space and then come back down. These are called sub-orbital vehicles. They don't go fast enough to stay in space. Other rockets are much stronger. They launch things into an orbit around Earth. This means the payload goes fast enough to keep falling around Earth without hitting it.
How Rockets Work
Most big rockets are made of several parts called stages. Each stage has its own engines and fuel. When one stage runs out of fuel, it falls away. This makes the rocket lighter and helps the next stage push the payload even faster. This design helps rockets get enough speed to reach space.
Rockets use different kinds of rocket fuels. Some have extra boosters attached to their sides. These are called solid rocket boosters. They give the rocket an extra push during the first few minutes of flight.
Reusable vs. Expendable Rockets
Most launch vehicles are expendable. This means they can only be used once. After they launch their payload, they fall back to Earth and are lost. This can be very expensive because a lot of valuable equipment is thrown away. However, expendable rockets can usually carry heavier payloads.
Some rockets are reusable. This means parts of them can land back on Earth and be used again for another launch. For example, SpaceX developed the Falcon 9 rocket. Its first stage can land upright after a launch and be prepared for another mission. Parts of the old Space Shuttle were also reusable. Reusable rockets help save money in the long run.
Choosing a Launch Vehicle
Many different types of launch vehicles exist. The rocket chosen for a mission depends on a few things:
- The spaceport (the place where it launches from).
- How heavy the payload is.
- The orbit the payload needs to reach.
Many countries want to build their own rockets. This is part of their national space programs. It helps them explore space and launch their own satellites.
Images for kids
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Comparison of launch vehicles. Show payload masses to LEO, GTO, TLI and MTO
See also
In Spanish: Lanzadera espacial para niños
