Rocket

Commonly used term for a launch vehicle. One burning liquid or solid fuel and carrying Its own oxidizer, enabling combustion to continue outside of the earth's atmosphere.

Zero-Length Rocket

A rocket with sufficient thrust to launch a vehicle directly into the air.

Historical Notes

1232 Rockets invented in China to defend city of Kaifeng against Mongol invaders.

1500 Chinese scientist Wan Hu ties 47 gunpowder rockets to a chair in an effort to make a flying machine, but it explodes and kills him!

1804 Rockets developed by the British Army Corp reached height of 1830m.

1926 Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket.

1934 Wernher von Braun, a German engineer, develops a rocket powered by liquid fuel. It reaches a height of 2.4km.

See also: Braun, Werner von, Ramjet, Thrust, Thrusters.