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.

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: Ramjet, Thrust, Thrusters.