What is Launch: Definition and 351 Discussions

A launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket-propelled vehicle used to carry a payload from Earth's surface to space, usually to Earth orbit or beyond. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, launch pad, vehicle assembly and fuelling systems, range safety, and other related infrastructure.Orbital launch vehicles can be grouped based on many different factors, most notably payload mass, although price points are a major concern for some users. Most launch vehicles have been developed by or for national space programs, with considerable national prestige attached to spaceflight accomplishments. Payloads include crewed spacecraft, satellites, robotic spacecraft, scientific probes, landers, rovers, and many more.
Orbital spaceflight is difficult and expensive, with progress limited by the underlying technology as much as human and societal factors.

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  1. E

    Projectile Motion: Determining Launch Angle

    Homework Statement A hunter aims a high velocity semi-automatic rifle at a moose that is 500.0 m away in a direct line of sight. The moose stands 40.0 m below the horizontal in a depression with a bog at the bottom. The muzzle velocity is 2500.0 feet per second and the sight on the rifle is...
  2. A

    Derive a general expression for range when launch angle=0

    1. The problem statement, all variables, and given/known data Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution So basically I took vertical direction formula and I solved for "t". I then took the horizontal direction formula and solved for "x" or we can also call x the "Range" since that's...
  3. A

    Relationship between Launch Angle & Horizontal Distance

    Homework Statement How to prove the correlation between launch angle (<45°) and horizontal displacement. Independent Variable: Horizontal distance Dependent Variable: Launch Angle (Important) Controlled Variable: Firing velocity [90 m/s] Another problem is, with the data that I have...
  4. diogenesNY

    I DPRK Missle Launch, physics of

    I have been watching the news coverage of North Korea's latest test launch of a ballistic missile. One piece that I read noted that the recent launch had a significant range increase over the last launch: 2300 miles vs. 1700 miles. The article in question is here...
  5. B

    A rocket on a cart is fired to go through a hoop

    Homework Statement A 300 g rocket is on a cart that is rolling to the right at a speed of 2 m/s. The rocket engine, when it is fired, exerts an 6 N thrust on the rocket. Your goal is to have the rocket pass through a small horizontal hoop that is 18 m above the launch point. At what horizontal...
  6. S

    Launching a rocket from high altitude

    I have a project where I will be launching a rocket from a high altitude weather balloon. I am planning on launching the rocket at around 70Km or even higher. My main concern is the igniter not being able to ignite the engine because of the low amount of oxygen. Is there any way around this...
  7. H

    Maximizing a Water-Propelled Bottle Rocket Launch

    I'm going to make a water propelled pop bottle rocket for a competition. The bottle holds 1.5 liters and we are going to fill some amount of it with water and pressurize it to 75 psi. When triggered, water will come out of the hole in the cap and propel the rocket. The rocket is perfectly...
  8. R

    How the angle of launch affect the range?

    Homework Statement I'm about to conduct an experiment about factors that affect the flight of an elastic band. The aim of this experiment is to find how the angle of launch, when shooting a rubber band, affects the range or distance of the shot. Do you suggest to consider the drag force? like...
  9. R

    How the launch angle affects the horizontal distance/range?

    Homework Statement I'm doing a lab report about how the launch angle affects the range of a projectile. Independent Variable Angle of Launch Dependent Variable Range or distance I did an experiment with three trials and here are my results: And then plotted the data. However, it's a...
  10. E

    How does a hinged mass affect a catapult's launch time?

    Homework Statement Okay, so I am doing a physics investigation and I am supposed to have a theory I can test. I have a catapult I made myself, and I change the force exerted on the rod of the catapult by changing the mass that hangs by a string. It is a seesaw with a hinged mass on one end. I...
  11. Sam 1998

    Finding relationship between Range and Launch height

    Homework Statement I am currently trying to find a way to determine the relationship between launch height and range for a projectile launched at less than horizontal. Would vary launch height to and measure range. I need a directly proportional equation or at least a linear relationship...
  12. D

    Floating Launch Loop: Is It Worth Exploring? - roboticsolutions.tech

    im writing a 2d space simulator and in it i want to simulate rockets as well as things like space elevators and spaceguns to allow players to compare how each system works and compare pros and cons. one idea i want to include in that simulator is my own that i want to promote to the new...
  13. B

    Nuclear launch protocols and obedience

    If one of the dozens of ballistic missile submarines owned by the United States would receive code to launch an intercontinental tactical nuclear warhead, would they obey without question even if the target would be a state in the United States or let's say Singapore? What protocol are...
  14. A

    What is the average launch speed?

    Homework Statement During several practice runs you stand at the end of a diving board and launch the basketball horizontally from a position 4.50 m above the water. If the average landing spot is6.25 m horizontally from your initial position, what is the average launch speed? Homework...
  15. A

    Solving for Launch Angle Using Vo

    Homework Statement Find the angle at which the projectile is launched. (Hint: use tan^2+1=sec^2) Initial Net Velocity=430 m/s The projectile lands perfectly on the edge of a cliff 80 meters high and 175 meters away. Homework Equations tan^2+1=sec^2 Kinematics, i.e.- v=vo+gt...
  16. S

    Rocket Launch: Achieving Escape Velocity w/ Fuel-Mass Ratio of 300

    Homework Statement Rockets are propelled by the momentum of the exhaust gases expelled from the tail. Since these gases arise from the reaction of the fuels carried in the rocket, the mass of the rocket is not constant, but decreases as the fuel is expended. Show that for a Rocket starting...
  17. T

    NASA Exploring the "Verboten" Subject: Launch into Space

    Is this subject still verboten on here? They say it has pass peer review and it will soon be launched into space. What are your thoughts other than ''thread closed'' lol?
  18. 1oldman2

    Space Stuff and Launch Info

    Due to the constant never ending supply of "cool stuff" happening in Aerospace these days I'm creating this thread to consolidate posts every time something new comes along. Please feel free to add random information if its relevant. So to start things off here is the SpaceX Dragon launch coming...
  19. CarlosK

    How to derive this equation of missile launch?

    Hi All, Question: How to derive these equations of missile launch? v=∆x√(g/2H) v=√(2gh/β+1) I need to use these formulas: ∆y=voyt - (gt²)/2 ∆x=vxt K=(mv²)/2 + (Iω²)/2 ∆UG=mg∆y I=βmr² β=2/5 Thanks, Carlos.
  20. A

    Using orbital spin to accelerate an interstellar launch

    Ok, so I know I'm missing something here. But, you know how pool balls that rotate opposite direction increase the speed of one of them through kinetic transfer? Why don't we build a launch platform based on this approach and use the orbital spin of the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn (gaining speed...
  21. Hoophy

    Low Atmosphere Rocket Launch Stages Carry Their Own Oxygen -- Why?

    So I was wondering how come liquid rocket engines (operating in the lower atmosphere (such as launch stages)) are using Oxygen that they have packed on board. What I mean to say is why would the rocket need to waste space and mass bringing Oxygen with them in the launch stage when they could...
  22. M

    B How do I calculate the apogee of a rocket before launch?

    Is there any equation in order to know how high my rocket will go, before launching it? I suppose that if there is any, it will not take into account air drag and others, and there is no need for that. I just one to know an approximate, I am making a summer project with some friends and we had...
  23. Claire Augustus

    Project Help - Mousetrap catapault to launch cut tennis ball

    Homework Statement "Take a tennis ball and cut it into 2 equal halves. Take one of them and cut it again equally. You now have 1 half tennis ball and 2 quarter tennis balls. Glue the 2 quarters to the half, one to its outside (convex) and one to its inside (concave). Design, build and test a...
  24. S

    Finitely Deforming an Elastic Band to Launch a Payload

    Hi. I've set myself a project with a couple of my classmates and despite the impracticability of it we want to do it as well as possible. Our aim is to look at using a massive elastic band in order to launch a payload at massive velocities, possibly even at escape velocity. To this end I've...
  25. U

    I Revolutionize Space Travel with Innovative Vacuum Launch Method

    I know magnetic launch tracks on the side of mountains has been proposed before but what if... you vacuum the inside of the launch track on the side of the mountain and extend the tube up from about 5K meters to 30K meters? The tube on the side of the mountain would be made of a strong metal...
  26. Zacattackz

    Projectile Motion, finding required theta of launch

    Homework Statement The objective is to code a working solver, but my question is specifically with the physics aspect. I am to find the θ value necessary to launch a projectile and hit a target. My problem is distinguishing between an overshoot and an undershoot. For example: Both of these...
  27. J

    A 300 kg rocket sits on a launch pad. What is the thrust nee

    Homework Statement A 300 kg rocket sits on a launch pad. What is the thrust needed to obtain a thrust to weight ratio 3:1? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution 300.0 kg x 9.817 m/s2 = 2945.1 N i know this is not the correct answer, but i have no idea where to start. can someone...
  28. T

    Determining Launch Velocity to Overcome Drag (no propulsion)

    Hi everyone, I'm working on a project for my electromagnetics class which asks us to design an electrostatic launch system that can propel an object into space. Though the bulk of the project is supposed to be about designing the accelerator plate array, I got really interested in the whole...
  29. R

    Kite trampoline / bungee launching a payload

    I've been experimenting with aggregate stability of kite networks. ... Kite like to fly in networks. And I've written this about it.. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0qQxFlXu7t-RGpqRk1ZYXNISkU For the upcoming Airborne Wind Energy book. Today though... I want to know what thickness of bungee...
  30. S

    Initial pressure to launch ball at Velocity Z

    1. Problem I have a horizontal cylinder with a ball in it. What must the initial pressure be to launch the ball at Z velocity? 2. Attempt P = F/A A = Surface Area(Cylinder) - 1/2 Surface Area (Ball) = (2πrh) F = m*a U = - ∫ F dx U = 1/2 mv^2 at x = h ∫ a dx = -1/2mv^2 / m at x = h Z =...
  31. wolram

    News North Korea's rocket launch

    What implications will this have to: South Korea, the world. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35516278
  32. I

    I Energy needed to launch a spaceship into Space

    A given planet has a mass, M = 6.42*10^23 kg, and radius, R = 3.39 * 10^6 m. The gravitational konstant is G = 6.67*10^-11 A spaceship with mass m = 4000 kg is launched from the planets surface. How much energy is needed to send the spaceship to a height h = 100 km above the planets surface?
  33. Bdhillon1994

    The End of the Ski Jump - Optimizing Launch Angle

    Homework Statement A ski jumper leaves the ski track moving in the horizontal direction with a speed of 25.0 m/s as shown in Figure 4.14. The landing incline below her falls off with a slope of 35.0°. Where does she land on the incline? I've attached an image of the problem, my work is below...
  34. D

    Space X falcon 9. Why return to the launch site?

    I don't know that many details about the latest Falcon 9 v1.1 launch and return landing, but I know the 1st stage returned and landed near the launch site. I can't understand why this makes any sense. I would think that would take a huge amount of fuel to completely change directions to get...
  35. 5P@N

    What force needed to launch an object from moon to Earth

    Homework Statement An object possesses 61.14 kg mass. 1. How much energy in kilojoules would be necessary so as to project the object from the surface of the moon to the Earth's atmosphere at the Karman Line of 100km Earthly elevation, at such a speed that the total travel time between lunar...
  36. Y

    Will Radial Escape Velocity Launch a Satellite Into Orbit?

    If we provide a satellite with escape velocity perpendicular to the earth(radially), would it start orbiting it?
  37. F

    Confused...calculating energy in a spring before launch of a ball

    Homework Statement So a little background before stating the problem: During a lecture a couple weeks prior to lab, the instructor did an example where we were told to find the max height of a ball launched upwards by compressing a spring. In order to calculate that, he showed that E1 is the...
  38. vetgirl1990

    Finding launch angle from vertical and horizontal distance

    Homework Statement The mountain rescue officers trigger the avalanche by firing a gun at a distant mountain slope. The muzzle velcoity of the gun is 225m/s. The horizontal and vertical distance from the gun to the slope is x=1,072m and y=538m respectively. Find the lowest angle between the...
  39. B

    Projectile Motion spring launch

    Homework Statement I am trying to find the force needed from a spring to launch a mass of 800g to a length of 0.875m. This launch would be at the optimum angle of 45º. I am aware of all projectile motion equations but am having difficulty linking them to force and thus solving the problem...
  40. F

    Finding launch angle and velocity

    Homework Statement You are an invading army who wants to launch a rock over the enemy castle’s wall. The wall is 12 meters high and there is a moat surrounding the wall which forces you to launch from a distance of 17 meters away. What angle and velocity should you shoot at in order to just...
  41. D

    UCM to Projectile: Optimum Launch Angle/Velocity Dependence?

    I ran a simulation on WinPlot (see attached video) on my computer and was a bit surprised to see that the optimal launch angle of a projectile (with NO air drag) leaving uniform circular motion is dependent on the initial tangential velocity (or at least Winplot thinks it does). Can someone...
  42. D

    Mathematical Proof That a 45 Degree Angle Launch is Best for

    Mathematical Proof That a 45 Degree Angle Launch is Best for Displacement how do i solve this
  43. S

    Spring launcher equation to find x

    Homework Statement In my physics 12 class, we were given a spring and had to launch it at an angle into a target (the object launched is the spring itself). The target was on the floor level but the spring was launched from above the floor level. I need to find out how far to pull the spring...
  44. M

    Calculation to launch a golf ball

    Hi, I need your help. Is my calculation correct? 1. Homework Statement We have to build a launcher that will be able to reach a target that is place anywhere in a prism 3m X 3m X 1m. The launcher have to used a golf ball and gravity as source of energy. I am trying to calculate what we need...
  45. 2

    Projectile Motion With Unequal Launch And Landing Height

    Homework Statement Below is screen shot of the problem. My friends book was ripped so some of the problem was cut off. Using the diagram I need to find d. The answer is supposed to be 7.42x10^4m. Below the problem is my attempt at the solution. Can someone tell me where I went wrong. As you can...
  46. Abscissas

    Solving a Model Rocket Launch Problem

    Hello loves, I know there are post very very similar to this, but I just needed some help understanding it. any help is truly appreciated. 1. Homework Statement A model rocket is launched straight upward with an initial speed of 50 m/s. It accelerates with a constant upward acceleration of 30...
  47. Ignis Radiis

    Space Part 1 -- Why does NASA launch spacecraft toward the East?

    Homework Statement Okay...So why does NASA launch in the east. Is there an advantage in east from west? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  48. S

    Energy Required to Launch a Geosynchronous Satellite

    Hi all, This question is for an assignment due Friday. My friend and I spent the better part of an hour on it and are thoroughly stumped. Any help is much appreciated! 1. Homework Statement Calculate the energy required to put a satellite into geostationary orbit. (note that no mass is...
  49. Yadama

    News Orion Launch Discussion - Live Stream & Reddit

    Decided we should have a thread for pre/post launch discussion of the orion capsule. Maybe we can talk about how much we hate wind, or maybe how much we dislike sailboats. Live stream is here: www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv Also a more active discussion over on reddit(sorted by new)...
  50. J

    Finding an angle of trajectory from a tangential launch.

    Homework Statement Homework Equations 1/2mv^2, mgh, and basic kinematics equations The Attempt at a Solution I set the height = 0 at moment before the launch. To get the velocity, I used: energy before the ball starts accelerating (PE) = energy right before the ball leaves the ark (KE)...
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