what's the difference between a missile and a rocket?

Question

to me , usage is mixing up. People sit on rockets to go to moon. No one sits on a missile. Fighter planes carry both rockets and missiles.

Answer 1

Rocket's have an attached propulsion system. A missile, by definition, does not. Though you are right it's mis-used. For example "nuclear missile" is actually a nuclear rocket, but no one realizes this. :)

Answer 2

I think eyeonthescreen pretty well has it. Rocket, in the general sense, just refers to the means of propulsion. Missile, again in the general sense, is any object propelled or thrown as a weapon.

In common usage, missile often refers to a self-propelled weapon with a guidance system. For example, ballistic missile, guided missile, surface-to-air missile, cruise missile. And cruise missiles are typically propelled by jets, not rockets.

Rocket, on the other hand, is often used to refer to simple self-propelled weapons with no or limited guidance, used much the same as artillery. The obvious example is the Katyusha rockets that have been used recently in Lebanon.

However, rocket is also used in reference to the much more sophisticated vehicles used to launch satellites, such as Delta and Ariane rockets. So the definition of "rocket" as unguided fails here.

You're right, the usage is mixed up. None of it is really incorrect, as the two terms are overlapping and non-exclusive. As some of the above answers show, the real confusion in usage comes when people attempt to create an artificial distinction between the two terms.

Answer 3

Easy, Missiles are Guided and usually smart. A delivery body, control fins, onboard computer that directs the rocket nozzle at the rear, and steers the missile fins. The better missiles have 1 fin at each compass point (4 fins) at the top of the body, and at the rear. All can swivel to help direct the missile through the air. LGBs (Laser Guided Bombs) usually have steering to help pinpoint it on target.

Rockets are unguided missiles. They are fired usually from Pods. In helicopters theyre usually round with several small diameter holes. A rocket usually has fixed fins that just help stabilize it so it flies in as straight a line as possible. I believe rockets have a smaller propellant package and much more explosive payload. They are for medium to short range usually. missiles come in many different sizes and speeds.

So in summary, Rockets are unguided. Missiles are guided. In some cases, rockets are just huge payloads, but sometimes are guided as well. The rockets they use to send the capsules or shuttles up into space are unguided, and called rockets because they are a vehicle class. Engine to carry a payload that is non-destructive.

Missile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missile

Rocket: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M270_Multiple_Launch_Rocket_System

Answer 4

A rocket can be a missle propelled by rocket propulsion. Anythiing flying through the air (or space) can be classified as a missile, especially if it is aimed at something.

Missile just means

From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

: an object (as a weapon) thrown or projected usually so as to strike something at a distance

The MW definition of rocket is a bit wordy and not entirely correct as far as I (a former jet pilot) am concerned. MW thinks a rocket is "jet engine" that contains its own fuel and oxygen. Jet jockies, like myself, consider jet engines as air breathers that get their oxygen from the atmosphere. When a thrusting engine gets its oxygen from its own internal tanks, then that engine is a rocket, not a jet.

Answer 5

Semantics. But you pretty much got the idea.

Down with missiles! Up with Rockets!

Answer 6

A rocket has no guidance system and a missile does.

Answer 7

Missiles and rockets are, in essence the same base device...but:

- Missile implies an explosive payload
- Rocket implies passengers or cargo

Answer 8

a missile has a guidance system and a rocket doesn't

Answer 9

a missile is used for destruction, a rocket for exploration

Answer 10

missile is a bomb and rocket is a vehicle.