Launch Definition and 352 Threads

A launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket-propelled vehicle used to carry a payload from Earth's surface to space, usually to Earth orbit or beyond. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, launch pad, vehicle assembly and fuelling systems, range safety, and other related infrastructure.Orbital launch vehicles can be grouped based on many different factors, most notably payload mass, although price points are a major concern for some users. Most launch vehicles have been developed by or for national space programs, with considerable national prestige attached to spaceflight accomplishments. Payloads include crewed spacecraft, satellites, robotic spacecraft, scientific probes, landers, rovers, and many more.
Orbital spaceflight is difficult and expensive, with progress limited by the underlying technology as much as human and societal factors.

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  1. Zybex

    What Speed is Needed to Launch a 1500 kg Cargo Container to 160 km Altitude?

    Let's say we have an egg-shaped (for better drag) 1500 kg cargo container and a acceleration system that accelerates that container and launches it at sea level to reach 160 km on its own without any engine. What speed should be applied to this 1500 kg container at sea level, so it reaches 160...
  2. C

    Physics 1 Parabolic Motion Question Confusion

    Problem: A small forest animal jumps with an initial speed of v0 = 15.0m/s and travels to a maximum height of 2.160m. What horizontal distance would the animal travel if the launch angle is i) 45.0 degrees or ii) 42.0 degrees? Correct Answer: i) 24.95m ii) 25.02m My professor solved this by...
  3. M

    Finding the launch angle for a projectile if the range is 3x the max height of the trajectory

    For this problem, The solution is, I don't understand how they got from ##\frac {sin^2\theta_i}{sin2\theta} ## to ##\frac{tan\theta_i}{2}##. Would somebody please show me the immediate steps? I also don't understand is why they say the ignore the trivial case where ##\theta_i = 0~rad##...
  4. A

    Finding velocity for projectile given distances and launch angle

    i used t=d/v for the x direction using the formula t=250/vcos55 and subbed that into the formula for the y direction d = (v) (t) + (0.5) (a) (t)^2 35 = (vsin55) (250/vcos55) - (4.9) (250/vcos55)^2 canceled out the first two v 35 = sin55 (250/cos55) - (306250/v^2cos3025) 35 = 357 -...
  5. dejavu333

    Projectile Launch Angle: What Could Be Causing My Arccos Computation Problem?

    if the target is lower than me, the formula is below, but if it's higher as in the task, a whole different formula is required I think. a = 9.8 * distance^2 / velocity^2 phi = Arctan(distance / height_diff) angle_if_elevation = ( Arccos((a - height_diff) / Sqroot(height_diff^2) + distance^2)) +...
  6. sophiecentaur

    What makes Spin Launch a promising alternative to traditional rocket launches?

    Spin Launch is a proposed method, as a first stage for launching small payloads into orbit, using a slingshot method. There seems to be a video of a successful one-third scale test. Would the numbers add up, though and would it be better than an ordinary first stage vehicle? One advantage could...
  7. GopherTv

    B Calculating the Distance that a Catapult can launch a Projectile

    I know the spring constant of my spring, 90.54 n/m The spring is stretched 13.5 cm Im launching of a deck that is 1.75 meters high
  8. T

    Conservation of energy -- Using a spring to launch a ball up an incline

    Ei = 1/2 K (x)^ 2 K = .0152N/m x = .0375 m Ei = 1.06x10^-5 Ef= 1/2mv2 + mgh m = .164kg, v is unknown, h is .0375sin(8.3)=.00541, Ef set equal to Ei 1.06x10^-5=1/2(.164kg)(v^2)+ (.164kg)(9.8)(.00541) v = .3254m/s I have gotten this answer multiple times but it is not correct. I am going...
  9. R

    I Webb Launch Mechanics: Tangential Speed Benefits?

    When I read about the launch location, it is explained that the French Guiana launch site was chosen because it is close to the equator, which means it started with a larger tangential speed than if it were launched from a US location. However, doing the numbers, I find that an initial...
  10. dRic2

    Always launch a program with additional parameters Ubuntu 20.04

    Hi, Due to a proxy issue I have to launch chromium with this additional requirement to set the right proxy chromium-browser --proxy-server=http://proxy.myproxy:XXXX To get things more easy I defined an alias alias chrome='chromium-browser --proxy-server=http://proxy.myproxy:XXXX' so now I...
  11. R

    Mechanics: calculating launch angle of projectile

    I am trying to find the launch angle ##\theta## using the relationship: ##\theta=\arctan(\frac{v_{y}}{v_{x}})## So, ignoring attenuation due to air resistance, we have a constant horizontal velocity: ##v_x = d_x/t = 95m/4.5s \approx 21 m/s## But what value do we use for ##v_y## which is not...
  12. ayans2495

    Relationship between horizontal range and angle of launch

    I would like to conduct an experiment asking the question "how does the angle at which a projectile is launched vary with respect to the horizontal range it covers?" Ultimately, I'd like to prove that the horizontal range is directly proportional to sin(2(theta)). This will be done with the aid...
  13. G

    I Centrifugal Effects During Rail Launch

    I’m writing a 3DOF sim for a rocket. I’m having a hard time visualizing centrifugal effects from the Earth's rotation on the rocket while it is moving along the rail (acceleration > 0). I know that once it has left the rail I no longer need to account for it since it’s in the ECI frame and...
  14. TheGreatDeadOne

    Conservation of momentum in an oblique launch and projectile explosion

    This problem I already solved using another resource (just get the coordinate of the center of mass reach and from it, get to the larger mass. R = (3v02) / (4g)). But I'm having some trouble calculating using moment conservation. Here what I've done so far: $$ 3\vec v_0 = \vec v_1 +2\vec v_2 $$...
  15. Z

    Comp Sci Solving the ballistic trajectory equation for Launch Angle

    In a process of writing a game. Effectively need to know how to angle the barrel for the projectile to hit the selected target. So for the equation y = h + x * tan(α) - g * x² / 2 * V₀² * cos²(α) Everything except α is known. Could anyone more wise in the ways of science than me help me solve...
  16. flyparnape

    Finding the Velocity of a Projectile knowing only Launch Angle and Flight Time

    I don't know the distance or the horizontal velocity so I can't find any logical solution
  17. A

    Would He3 make fusion easier? :- Can a fusion rocket launch from Moon?

    Heard talk about He3 on the Moon and launching a fusion rocket. Is this all just a mashup of Sci-fi ideas?
  18. b1anthony

    Physics "Failure to Launch" Career Advice

    I took some time off twice getting through college just about a year each time. I also have about a years worth of failed classes and a GPA of about 2.02. Although my major GPA is around 2.5 still not that great. Graduated in 2017 officially but last class was taken in 2014. So its. . . well...
  19. mfb

    NASA Countdown to Launch: Artemis I Booster Preparations and Orion Challenges

    This a half question, half news thread. Boosters: Artemis I Launch Preparations Are Stacking Up The first element has been assembled vertically Nov 21. The problem here: As soon as that they assemble the boosters the propellant inside begins to sink down slowly. NASA thinks the booster needs to...
  20. Spinnor

    Rocket Launch as Seen from the Space Station

    Almost looks like an animation but it is from NASA.
  21. A

    Determining the starting position when dealing with an inclined launch

    Now I did what the suggestion said I started my calculation with x(t); x(t) = v0 * cosα * t As I was missing the t component I found it like this t = v0 * sinα/g t = 8,82 s Now I've put t back into x(t) and got this result; x(t) = 441 m Now what I think I have gotten is the complete...
  22. T

    I Launch to Space: Exploring the Possibility of a Tube Launch System

    Build a tube to space. Use our atmosphere to push a ship up the tube.
  23. A

    Need help finding the launch angle of a ball

    the mass is 0.8kg speed is 50m/s distance is 100m
  24. T

    Help with these rocket launch questions please

    I know that a=-9.8, I am having trouble aplying the motion equations. For example, I can't use equations that have velocity (either initial or final), so I can rule out those equations. I am then left with no equations to use. I am extremely stumped.
  25. J

    Launching a projectile to hit a target moving away from the launch point

  26. Greg Bernhardt

    SpaceX SpaceX Crew Dragon Launch Try #2

    Here we go again! Set for 3:22PM EST. Lots of analysis in this live video already!
  27. mfb

    SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2: Launch success

    It doesn't happen every day decade that people are being launched to orbit in a new spacecraft . The last time it happened was 2003 (Shenzhou), and the last time before that was the Space Shuttle in 1981. The next time will be in 12 hours, if the weather stays good. And for the first time it is...
  28. A

    Do Nations Need USA Launch Permission for Rockets?

    When other countries are launching rockets into space do they have to get permission from USA for the launch? i.e. China, Iran, India, Japan, Do they just simply coordinate with the local airspace to avoid any conflict or do they actually have to attain a launch permission from a body in USA.
  29. K

    The Determination of the Launch Angle of a Projectile

    Hi, I am new here to the forum and I am having trouble with a project that I am undertaking with some friends. We are trying to build a firefighting robot. I am trying to derive an expression to solve for the launch angle theta of the water so that at x (meters), the projectile will be at 0.33...
  30. jisbon

    Finding the launch velocity of a point charge in a e-field

    I'm not sure how to proceed with this, but here are my findings/hypothesis: First we find the electric field contributed by the plate with ##E=\frac{\lambda}{2\pi r\epsilon_{0}}## where r=2? After finding out the electric field, is it safe to assume I can find the acceleration of the point...
  31. X

    SpaceX More details about next-gen 18m SpaceX launch vehicle

    Some days ago, Elon said they will have a 18-diameter spacecraft later. People online think it as a enlarged version of Starship/Superheavy, exactly twice the size, 10 times the power. However, there is no way that thing can even lift off ground (twice the height means one half the TWR) , and...
  32. L

    Man jumping onto a see-saw to launch bricks vertically

    I drew a diagram for the a) part The person is h meters high So GPE= 100 x 9.8x h GPE= 980h j KE = 980h when the person hits the see saw KE=1/2mv² 980h=0.5 x 5 x v² Now it v²=u²+2as For the brick going up to 10m v = 0 u=? a=-9.8ms-² s=10m u²=2 x 9.8 x 10 u=14m/s We can assume that u=14m/s is...
  33. mfb

    SpaceX Starlink launch - first 60 satellites

    Starlink launch in 20.5 hours, live coverage here. 80% chance that the weather will be good, backup launch date is the following day. The deployment of the satellites could be very interesting.A lot of new information about Starship: They are building two of them - one in Texas (that one was...
  34. solarcat

    Calculating Work for Launching a Spacecraft to a Great Distance from Earth

    Homework Statement Say you're launching a spacecraft of mass m from the surface of the Earth (mass Me and radius re) to a low height h (h is much smaller than r, so h is essentially negligible). How much work is required to move the spaceship from its low orbit to a great distance from earth...
  35. Y

    What formula would i use this for this HW problem? (Aircraft carrier jet launch)

    *This is an introductory physics class for non-math majors. A typical jet fighter launched from an aircraft carrier reaches a take-off speed of 175mph over a distance of 310 ft. assuming the acceleration is constant, what is the jet's acceleration in (meters per second)? 2) how long does i...
  36. Demigod

    B Hyperloop - Orbital Space Launch

    I'm hoping I can get my idea debunked or with some words of encouragement, continue my investigation in what could be an ideal way to solve some propulsion issues in space travel. What I'm suggesting is building a large circular "maglev" accelerator in space, similar to CERN, which wouldn't...
  37. mfb

    News Soyuz launch failure with crew on board (crew is fine)

    A Soyuz flight that was supposed to launch two astronauts to the ISS had a booster failure (half an hour before this post). The Soyuz capsule separated from the rocket and landed, the crew is fine. Rescue teams got to them quickly. While they had to endure higher g-forces than usual they seem to...
  38. Z

    Model Rocket Launch: Maximum Height, Time, and Duration Calculations

    Homework Statement A model rocket is launched straight upward with an initial speed of 50.0 m/s. It accelerates with a constant upward acceleration of 1.50 m/s2 until its engines stop at an altitude of 110 m. (a) What is the maximum height reached by the rocket? (b) How long after lift-off...
  39. H

    B Feasibility of a L1 Gravity Swing Cold Launch?

    At an L1 LaGrangian point between two bodies, one could - materials science notwithstanding - pit two of Newton's Laws (LM3,UG) against each other to provide thruster-free stationkeeping. Would it be feasible to use that to launch free from the system ? either spit out like a watermelon seed...
  40. I

    Find the launch speed of a ball in a spring mechanism

    Homework Statement I have a question asking me to find the launch speed of a ball (mass 0.39kg) when released by a spring mechanism made of 2 springs each with force constant 25Nm^-2. they are pulled back 12 cm. the ball is initially at rest.Homework Equations [/B] v^2=u^2+2as f=ma f=kx...
  41. D

    I Why do rockets turn horizontally so soon after launch?

    My 12 year old asked me this question. I have a MS in Mechanical Engineering, so I can usually answer his physics questions, but this one stumped me. When lifting off, why do most rockets turn close to horizontal almost immediately? Of course we know they need mostly horizontal speed to...
  42. S

    Relationship between Launch height and range of a projectile

    Homework Statement In a practical that we conducted, we were investigating the relationship between Launch height and the range (horizontal distance it travels) of a projectile. We launched a projectile from various heights and measured the horizontal range it traveled before reaching the...
  43. S

    B Relationship between launch height and range

    In a projectile motion practical, we had to investigate the relationship between launch of projectile and the range it travels. Increasing the height will obviously increase the range. However, we are trying to understand why it does in a more scientific way. We already know that increasing...
  44. E

    Automotive The effect of a flywheel on a car's launch

    Hello,I have been searching for a good answer but I couldn't find any. Let's say a car's engine is producing 200 Nm of torque throughout its entire range.since gear ratios and tire radius are fixed,it must provide the same amount of wheel force in a gear.So,theoretically,whatever RPM you launch...
  45. Francis Perez

    Find the Initial Velocity and Launch Angle for a Particular Trajectory

    Homework Statement Hello, so I’ve been trying to find some possible way to calculate this: The initial Velocity and angle needed to launch a projectile and reach the coordinates (x,y). The maximum height the ball can reach before it starts to head down to the target value should be y+5m The...
  46. kolleamm

    B Launch Spacecraft to Near c Speeds: Is it Possible?

    Is it possible to spin a tiny spacecraft to near c speeds, and then have it eject from the object it's spinning on into space? I came with this idea after seeing the Starshot project that involved lasers and thought there might be a better way. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks
  47. Martin Peasha

    B Could we launch spaceships from a long horizontal ramp?

    So for a while now I have had an idea for ground to space lift systems. My idea is to build a long electromagnetic launcher for ships underground. No I'm not talking about a tunnel straight towards the center of the Earth or "Down" but level, without taking into consideration the curvature of...
  48. P

    I Is it possible to use the vacuum to launch a rocket?

    Hey I'm new to Physics. I have a question. Is it possible to use the force generated when air entera a vacuum tube to launch something into space? Can anybody throw some light on this in simple words please. Thank You.
  49. Rednecknav

    I Moon vs Earth for launch to Mars

    Problem - we have to use large amounts of fuel/propellant to exit the Earth's atmosphere to enter Earth orbit, the moon or other planets... Solution - would it not make sense to launch from a base on the moon? Problems I see, potentially... 1) Is the moon’s orbit around Earth problematic for...
  50. mfb

    SpaceX What's Next for SpaceX in 2018: Exploring the Limits of Space and Physics?

    All the Wild **** We're Going to Do in Space and Physics in 2018 (forum censors the original title) Featuring all the interplanetary probes and various missions and milestones closer to Earth, the Event Horizon Telescope, Gaia, and a couple of things not directly related to space or...
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