Section 1: A History of Rockets, Basic Concepts and Definitions

• Rockets: Past, Present, and Future
  • The Three Amigos of Spaceflight Theory
    • Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
    • Hermann Oberth
    • Robert Goddard
  • The V-2 Rocket
  • "Rocket Science 101," Basic Concepts and Definitions
    • Rocketry Basics
    • Rocket Thrust Equation
    • Mass-Fraction ("Rocket") Equation
    • Concept of Specific Impulse
    • Comparison of Specific Impulses for Different Rocket Systems
    • Propellant Mass-Budget Equation
    • Extending the Rocket Equation for Vertically Accelerating Vehicle
    • Gravity Losses
    • The "Gravity Turn"
  • NSS Space Forum - The Road to Space: The First Thousand Years with Mike Gruntman

Lecture 2 Notes: .............................. (pdf )

• "Rocket Science 102,"Launch Energy Analysis, Available Vs. Required Delta V
  • Available Delta V
    • Delta V Losses
      • Gravity Lossses
      • Drag Losses
        • Lift, Drag, Ballistic Coefficient
  • Required Delta V
    • Launch Inclination
    • Orbital Velocity
    • "Earth Boost"
    • Boost Velocity Derivation Appendix
    • Gravitational Potential Energy
  • Staging
  • Space Shuttle Launch Problem

Lecture 3 Notes: .............................. (pdf )

• "Rocket Science 103," How High Will My Rocket Go?
  • Example Energy Calculation for Suborbital Launch
    • Altitude, Velocity at MotorBurnout
    • Conservation of Mechanical Energy
    • Drag-Free Apogee Equation
  • Example Flight Data
    • USLI "Pike" Flight Test
    • Effect of Drag on Launch Apogee
    • Example Drag Profiles
    • STS-114 Launch Data Example
    • Pike Video