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. B

    Designing a Catapult: Calculating Mass Moment of Inertia & Launch Speed

    This is a catapult design project. Homework Statement The counterweight is 400lb, the boulder (projectile) is 50lb and the throwing arm is 100lb. The throwing arm is assumed to be rigid, uniform in density, and weight. The throwing arm is also 17ft in total length. The throwing arm starts...
  2. B

    Projectile Launch - Using Earth's Radius

    1. What is the launch speed of a projectile that rises vertically above the Earth to an altitude equal to 14 Rearth before coming to rest momentarily? Homework Equationssqrt{2GM(\\frac{1}{R_e}-\\frac{1}{14R_e})} The Attempt at a Solution G= 6.67x10^11 M=5.97x10^24 R_e=6.37x10^6 I get 2988...
  3. A

    Projectile Motion: Understanding Launch Angles and Speeds

    Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum, if in wrong place please fogive. I am currently studying physics looking at the topic of projectiles, working out the maths is not a problem, but in class is not like having real experience out in the world around us, so my question is...
  4. S

    North Korea about to launch ICBM test and/or space satellite

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/world/asia/04korea.html
  5. G

    NASA Link to NASA TV and launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery

    Link to NASA TV and launch of the Space Shuttle "Discovery"... For those interested, here's a link to NASA TV and launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery somewhere around 7:43 PM EST... http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/
  6. K

    What Is the Launch Speed for a Projectile to Clear a 15m Barrier?

    Homework Statement The highest barrier that a projectile can clear is 15.0 m, when the projectile is launched at an angle of 13.0° above the horizontal. What is the projectile's launch speed? Homework Equations kinematics equations The Attempt at a Solution delta y=15m v0x=...
  7. Evo

    NASA NASA global warming satellite crashes after launch

    Ouch, $289 million. I wonder why it malfunctioned? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090224/ap_on_sc/sci_carbon_satellite
  8. R

    How to Calculate the Flight Time and Apex for a Model Rocket Launch in Excel?

    A brief explanation, this assignment is to be done in Excel and also has to be turned in with handwritten solutions for finding total flight time and apex. If I can get the handwritten part done Excel is a piece of cake. Homework Statement A model rocket is launched and I am to evaluate the...
  9. I

    Finding Launch Angle Using Projectile Motion Equations

    Homework Statement at 1/2 of its maximum height, the speed of a projectile is 3/4 of its initial speed. what was its launch angle?(ignore any effects due to air resistance.) Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I don't even know where to begin.
  10. DaveC426913

    Verifying Mach 10+ Shocks in Shuttle Launch Exhaust

    My friend (whom I normally trust) told me something I did not know and would like to verify. We were watching a shuttle launch, talking about the main engines which, while much fainter than the boosters, can be seen in the right light...
  11. B

    Calculating Maximum Height of a Rocket in Free Fall

    Homework Statement A rocket, initially at rest on the ground, accelerates straight upward from rest with constant acceleration 53.9 . The acceleration period lasts for time 5.00 until the fuel is exhausted. After that, the rocket is in free fall. Find the maximum height reached by the...
  12. M

    Spring constant to launch ball 70 mph?

    Could one of you mechanical geniuses please help out a dumb ol' elec engr? I've searched the boards for a few hrs now, but can't seem to get confidence in my answer to what should be a simple problem. I'm trying to build a simple a simple tennis ball launcher to fire a ball out at 70mph --...
  13. J

    Rocket launch that produces a certain g-force

    How do you calculate the period during rocket launch that produces a certain g-force? Is there a formula to work this out?
  14. S

    Magnetic force would it take to launch 1,000 , 5,000 and 10,000 pounds

    how much magnetic force would it take to launch 1,000 , 5,000 and 10,000 pounds into orbit? of say 270 miles up, using an electromagnet. also how much energy would be required to produce this force and lastly how much energy can be gotten from a dam(hydroelectric power plant) and how much...
  15. H

    Solving Rocket Launch at 75 Degrees After 11.2s

    Homework Statement A rocket is launched at an angle of 75 degrees and accelerates at 21.4 m/s^2. Where is the rocket located (from the point of origin) after 11.2 seconds?Homework Equations a=(vf - vi) / t (vf + vi) / 2 = (xf - xi) / t where: vf = velocity final, vi = velocity initial, xf =...
  16. S

    Projectile motion of a ball launch

    Homework Statement On earth, a ball is launched over level ground. It's vertical equation of motion is y(t) = -4.9(t2 - 8t - 20) A) Find tymax and ymax B) Find vyinitial and vyfinal Homework Equations y(t) = Yi + via + 1/2at2 Vf = vi + at The Attempt at a Solution I tried...
  17. B

    Projectile Motion - Horizontal Launch

    Homework Statement A stone is thrown horizontally at 5.0 m/s from the top of a cliff 78.4 m high. a. How long does it take the stone to reach the bottom of the cliff? b. How far from the base of the cliff does the stone strike the ground? c. What are the horizontal and vertical components...
  18. N

    Will Chandrayaan-1 Launch Tomorrow Despite Monsoon Season and Lightning Storms?

    If everything goes well, the PSLV-C11 will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre tomorrow at 06:20 Hrs IST (22 October 00:50 UTC). We are well into the (NE) Monsoon, but according to news reports, the scientists are not worried about rain as much as they are about lightning storms...
  19. S

    Launch angle and Projectiles

    Homework Statement Suppose a very narrow, very tall wall of height H stands between two children who are trying to play catch. The wall is a distance x[SUB][wall] from the thrower, and the catcher is distance X[SUB][F] from the thrower. In this problem you will calculate the lunch angle...
  20. P

    Launch Angle and Distance Problem: Solving for Initial Speed and Maximum Height

    URGENT! General Launch Angle Problem Homework Statement A batted baseball leaves the bat at an angle of 25.0 above the horizontal and is caught by an outfielder 370 ft from home plate at the same height from which it left the bat What was the initial speed of the ball? How high does the...
  21. H

    Watch LHC Launch Tonight on TV in US with FTA Dish

    Hi Does anyone know if it's possible to see LHC launch tonight on TV in the United States (as opposed to webcast)? I have a FTA dish. There's nothing in Dish network program guide. CERN website shows a few satellites but the only one visible from continental United States is C-Band.
  22. B

    What is the correct formula for calculating launch speed off of the Earth?

    What is the launch speed of a projectile that rises vertically above the Earth to an altitude equal to 8REarth before coming to rest momentarily? I think the formula for this problem is 1/2 mv2-G(mME/RE)=G(mME/2RE); I cancel out the m because it is in every variable; but whenever I plug...
  23. M

    Witness GLAST Launch: Now on Virtual Institute of Astroparticle Physics

    The videorecord of GLAST launching is available now on the website of Virtual Institute of Astroparticle physics 1-Glast official video 2-Glast launch as seen from the beach http://www.cosmovia.org/:wink:
  24. B

    The Multiple Launch Rocket System and Rocket Noises

    Hello folks! I was just watching a YouTube clip of the American MLRS system being used during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. I'm afraid I can't post a direct link to the video because of the 15 posts requirement, but if one does a search for "MLRS" it is the first video in the results...
  25. marcus

    GLAST scheduled for launch on 3 June

    http://glast.gsfc.nasa.gov/ http://scienceblogs.com/catdynamics/2008/05/glast_launch_schedule.php
  26. clope023

    Distance a rocket travels on a launch ramp

    [SOLVED] Distance a rocket travels on a launch ramp Homework Statement A 1600kg rocket is to be launched with an initial upward speed of 51.0m/s . In order to assist its engines, the engineers will start it from rest on a ramp that rises 53 degrees above the horizontal. At the bottom...
  27. S

    Equation relating launch velocity to distance pulled back.

    Homework Statement I've been tasked with designing a projectile launcher that must be built using either elastic bands or springs. The objective is to measure the launch velocity against the distance the projectile is pulled back before release. The launcher itself isn't supposed to be very...
  28. S

    The Angle of the Launch of a Rocket against a Strong Wind

    [SOLVED] The Angle of the Launch of a Rocket against a Strong Wind Homework Statement A 1210-kg rocket is launched with an initial velocity v = 85 m/s against a strong wind. The wind exerts a constant horizontal force F= 8650 N on the rocket. At what launch angle will the rocket achieve its...
  29. P

    Atlantis Launch on February 7th

    Atlantis Launch on February 7th! http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/scheduleStatus.asp" I'm going to be in Orlando from the 31st to the 8th! can someone tell me how I can go see this!? it looks like you have to buy tickets or something from the sight? I am an avid photographer and...
  30. G

    Creationists launch their own peer reviewed 'science' journal

    http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080123/full/451382b.html My brother went to the new creationist museum just for a kick. He said it was hilarious how ridiculous it was.
  31. rocomath

    Determining Impact Time of a Ball given Launch Velocity

    You throw a ball with launch velocity of \overrightarrow {v_i}=(3m/s)\widehat{i}+(4m/s)\widehat{j} toward a wall, where it hits at height h_1} in time t_1 after the launch. Suppose that the launch velocity were, instead, \overrightarrow {v_i}=(5m/s)\widehat{i}+(4m/s)\widehat{j}. Would the time...
  32. BobG

    Did the GPS launch cause damage to this person's car?

    This is an old video of the GPS launch back in Jan '97. The launch controllers sit in a blockhouse fairly near the launchpad, which is kind of cool. Working in a restricted area, they always got the good parking spaces. http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=157296&ESRC=dod
  33. S

    Zero Launch Angle: Vox and Angle

    Homework Statement A basketball is thrown horizontally with an initial speed of 4.20 m/s. A straight line drawn from the release point to the landing point makes an angle of 30.0° with the horizontal. What was the release height? Vox=4.20 m/s=Vx Ax=0 Voy=0 m/s Ay=-9.81 m/s^2 Theta=180*-30.0*...
  34. B

    Designing a MATLAB Program for Rocket Launch

    Homework Statement Hi Guys, First post, so please take it easy on the noob The problem is designing a MATLAB program for a rocket that has the user enter the following; 1) Launch angle 2) Launch velocity (ft. per sec) 3) Distance to target 4) How high the target location is above...
  35. B

    General Launch Angle (Vectors) HELP

    General Launch Angle (Vectors) PLZ HELP URGENT Homework Statement In a friendly game of handball, you hit the ball essentially at ground level and send it toward the wall witha speed of 13m/s at an angle of 24 degrees above the horizontal. a) how long does it take for the ball to reach the...
  36. K

    Someone - Ramp Launch And Friction

    Someone Please Help - Ramp Launch And Friction ! 1. Homework Statement A 2.0 kg wood block is launched up a wooden ramp that is inclined at a 35* angle. The block’s initial speed is 10m/s. (Given that μk = 0.20) a. What vertical height does the block reach above its starting point? b...
  37. I

    Rocket Launch from Mt. Everest Equator: Benefits & Efficiency

    Lets say Mt. Everest was located on the equator. How much more efficient would it be to launch a rocket from the top of this mountain as compared to a sea-level Florida launch? There would be much less atmosperic drag since you would be starting out 5-miles high. You would be slightly closer to...
  38. T

    Determining Water Ratio for Rocket Launch

    Alright what i am trying to do is to find the proper ratio of water in a water bottle. The Bottles are 591 ml and 2 L I am trying to figure out the equation to get the maximum height of the rocket. Does anyone know how i can get this equation ? i haven't factored the...
  39. J

    Vertical Projectile Motion: Finding Speed at Maximum Height

    First, let us consider an object launched vertically upward with an initial speed v. Neglect air resistance. What is the speed of the object at the height of (1/2)h max? i know that h max = (initial v in the y direction / 2g) and i also know that Kinitial +Uinitial =Kfinal +Ufinal or 0.5(mv^2) =...
  40. M

    How can i launch a golf ball 15 m?

    hey guys, my classmate and i have to design a device that will launch a golf ball 15m, using either a spring (which is what we're going to use) or elastic we need to find the value of the spring constant(we can do that), an expression to determine the initial velocity of the ball, an equation...
  41. C

    Earth's Rotation and Effect on Launch Altitude

    I know that as a rocket is launched closer to the equator it gets more of a "boost" in velocity due to the Earth's rotation, but I was wondering if anyone could explain the mechanism (e.g. the mathematics) behind this. I can visualize it but I don't see how the extra velocity gets added...
  42. A

    Is is possible to launch a satellite to a strange orbit?

    Is it possible to launch the satellite into orbit with inclination less than of latitude of the launch site? Can you please explain to me using some formulas.
  43. S

    Projectile Launch Angle Calculation with Given Launch Speed and Maximum Height

    Homework Statement A projectile's launch speed is 6.4 times its speed at maximum height. Find the launch angle 0. Homework Equations I know that the x-axis has to be the horizontal and the y-axis, vertical. I know I also have to use the square root of V0x squared plus V0y squared = 6.4...
  44. F

    Answers to Basic Questions About Space Shuttle Oxygen and Launch

    Hi I would like to have the answers of a few basic questions. I would like to know that in a space shuttle, how is the oxygen level maintained? How does a space shuttle enter into the space? Does it just go staright from the Earth's atmosphere to the space or it has to follow a...
  45. Ivan Seeking

    Should NASA Repair the Damaged Tiles on the Space Shuttle Endeavour for Launch?

    with the first teacher in space. If you haven't seen this, the story is pretty interesting. Recall that the first teacher in space died in the Challenger accident. Just search the news and you will see the story.
  46. E

    Calculating Acceleration and Velocity of a Weather Rocket Launch

    "launch a weather rocket" prbm Homework Statement A 1000 kg weather rocket is launched straight up. The rocket motor provides a constant acceleration for 11 s, then the motor stops. The rocket altitude 15 s after launch is 4600 m. You can ignore any effects of air resistance. a) Acc. of...
  47. B

    Calculating Launch Angle of Rock from Catapult on a Cliff

    Homework Statement A catapult on a cliff launches a large round rock towards a ship on the ocean below. The rock leaves the catapult from a height H of 32.0 m above sea level, directed at an angle q above the horizontal with an unknown speed v0...
  48. D

    How Do You Calculate the Acceleration During Projectile Launch?

    Homework Statement Vi= 26.06 m/s Mass= 0.5 Kg Angle of launch= 45 degrees time of flight= 3.61 sec range= 64m I need to find the force given to the projectile on the cannon during the launch, and due to the formula F=MA, I am missing A, but I have not formula to find the acceleration of...
  49. D

    Solving Hammer Launch Problem: 32.8m

    An athlete starts to swing a hammer in a 2m radius circle which is tilted up on one side. Each complete 360 degree swing takes 0.71s. The angle of the plane of the circle to the horizontal is 45 degrees. The hammer is released at a height of 1.5m from the ground, at an angle of 45 degrees to...
  50. M

    Solving Physics Problem: Launch Angle, Cliff Height, Velocity

    Homework Statement An object was launched from the top of a cliff at some angle with an acceleration of 50 ft/sec that overcame gravity. The fuel tank ran out after 2 seconds of flight and gravity took over from that point forward. The object reached a maximum height of 310 ft, was in the air...
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