How do rockets keep moving or change directions in space if there is no air or friction for push from?

Answer 1

Newton's Third Law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So, the backward motion of the rocket gases produces a forward motion of the rocket.

Answer 2

Since there isn't any air, wing and tail control surfaces would have no impact on rocket orientation and/or direction, as you note. There are a combination of other methods that are used to achieve changes in direction, all of which involve the thrust of on-board rockets.

The main propulsion engines can be attached via a gimbal mounting, which allows the engine's exhaust to be directed through a range of angles away from the center line of the vehicle, thus causing rotation. This is similar to the way boats can direct their thrust to achieve a turn, except that with boats, their is also a rudder which helps change direction.
There can also be smaller rocket engines used in pairs that push the fore or aft end of the rocket in a direction away from that in which the rocket is pointing/traveling. These are often "impulse" engines that provide a kick in the desired direction. They can also be used in combination to get a combined directional change.

Answer 3

Rockets do not fly like an airplane, they get thrown like a rock or bullet. They "fall" everywhere. They just are moving freely in response to gravity; which is what a fall is. So the launch rocket takes 10 minutes to get it up to orbital speed and then shuts down, after which the satellite "falls" around the earth. I say "fall" in quotes to emphasize the fact that it is really the same thing as falling on Earth, but it never hits the ground and is usually not in a straight line.

Answer 4

Rockets don't push off anything. It's an equal but opposite reaction principle. If you were on very smooth ice and threw a bowling ball in a certain direction, you would slide in the opposite direction as the ball. It works the same.

Answer 5

Conservation of momentum. the finished momentum of the device (the spacecraft and the expelled gases) might desire to stay consistent. If the gases are pushed out the lower back of the spacecraft, then the spacecraft has to head the different direction with the comparable momentum. Momentum is: p = mv the place m is mass and v is speed. while you're taking the mass of the gases expelled and mutliply via the fee that the gases are expelled at, you establish how lots momentum the departing gases had. The spacecraft has to have the comparable momentum interior the different direction to maintain the final stability. Divide the spacecraft's momentum via the mass and you get the fee of the spacecraft. for sure, the spacecraft strikes lots slower than the gases that have been expelled by way of fact the spacecraft has lots greater mass. it incredibly is why the expelled mass should be shot out the lower back in a flamable reaction that sends the gas out the lower back at an extremely extreme speed.

Answer 6

The rocket "pushes" against its own exhaust gases.

Answer 7

I think, it will move in orbit due to earth gravitation and when it will try to leave orbit, the fuel ignite and again come back to the orbit.