if space is a vacuam than how does a space craft fly and change direction in the space?

Answer 1

space craft have liquid oxygen that they mix with fuel so the fuel can burn. when the fuel burns it expands quickly and that creates pressure and the pressure pushes the spacecraft

Answer 2

Newton's third law is a weak explanation.

The better one is center of mass, if there are no forces on an object (like the space craft) it's center of mass does not change.
So if you send gas in one direction, the space craft has to move in the other direction so that the center of mass stays the same.
It's the same thing as being on a swingset, when you move your legs out, your body has to move back because there's no force acting on your body. that's why you can swing without any forces.

The third law is based on gas pressure pushing mostly in one direction and having nothing to put pressure on in the other. I'm not saying it doesn't happen I'm just saying it's way more complicated than this happens so this happens. I'd guess that 8/10 people that use that answer couldn't explain it for a lick.

Answer 3

Don't be embarrassed if you don't understand these concepts. A lot of people don't understand it, even some of those who work with the science every day! (recall the song, "Rocket Man") ;) I'm going to give you a link to Georgia State University's hyper-physics lab. It has some great illustrations of Newton's laws of motion. The link I will give you takes you to detailed information about how collisions work. There's even a calculator to allow you to figure out exactly what happens when matter collides. Particle collision physics is very relevant to your question about propulsion in space. Here's a more specific answer to your question: Essentially, inside a rocket engine, you have oxidized rocket fuel exploding and colliding with the interior of the rocket engine, which directs/vectors it as exhaust out of the rocket. The molecules of the rocket fuel combustion are making "elastic collisions" with the inside of the rocket. Study the information and tutorials at the link below, and you should understand the physics better. As for "wings" on spacecraft, they are only for when the vehicle returns to Earth to allow it to glide like a glider (also for stabilization with its assent, as with the Space Shuttle). Rocket fuel (propulsion) of some sort moves the spacecraft in 3 dimensions in space: pitch, roll, and yaw. Momentum from the massive liftoff from the Earth is conserved throughout the voyage, and continues to move the spacecraft until another force (such as using control rockets to change course) is applied. Orbits around planets are actually "free falls"; the spacecraft is in a continuous fall, but moving so fast that it orbits the planet instead of crashing into it. In addition to collision physics inside the rocket engine, space travel today is really just a massively complex trick of force, acceleration, momentum and gravity. I hope I was helpful. Have a good day.

Answer 4

In a vacuum, anything greater than a 90 degree change of direction will be the same as the spacecraft decelerating to a complete halt, and accelerating again in the direction it wishes to travel. A 45 degree change of direction in space, for example, while maintaining the same speed, will require only half the energy needed to stop and accellerate again. This is not the same for aircraft, which have air pressure to vector against in order to conserve energy

Answer 5

sure sounds like a law of motion to me....

the rockets blasting out the nozzle causes the same pressure to push against the front of the rocket. Laws of inertia (no I cant count) explain that objects travel until reacted on or stay at rest till acted on. The swing set theory is weak as well as what you are doing is using the chains of the swing as a fulcrum and the swing as a lever. Swaying your legs back and forth does nothing but move the swing a little. When you lean the opposite way you move yourself using the swing.

Answer 6

You are correct that the gas or rocket jets that a spacecraft uses are not "pushing against" anything; there is nothing to push against in space.

Instead, the spacecraft's jets work according to Newton's Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

(i.e., the jets fire one way, and the spacecraft moves the opposite way.)

Answer 7

it changes its direction only by giving a thrust of small values in the direction opposite to where they want to move,there a small nozzles like openings in space craft situated in many parts and in different angles to give a thrust at required angle.....

Answer 8

it is based on newton's third law.
you should know that the force applied by busters in space is very very very less.
it is even than touching the touchpad of a laptop.
you could now imagin the force exerted .

Answer 9

By using Newtons Laws. You really should get familiar with them.

Doug

Answer 10

By rocket propulsion in both cases.