If there is no air in space, how do they use rockets to position the space shuttle?

For various reasons, I never believed they made the mission to the moon.

Tonight, I was discussing space propulsion with a friend, and I brought
up the subject, how do they create thrust in a vacuum? None could
come up with a good answer.

Any scientist out there willing to explain how they position the space shuttle
when there is now air to push against when they produce thrust, supposedly???

Just something to ponder.

Looking forward to enquiring minds chiming in.




[edit on 13-8-2008 by Manasseh]

Oh, alright. I'll bite.

Newton's Third Law of motion: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Nothing needs to "push against" anything to move. Rockets send gasses backward, moving the vehicle forward. The propeller of an airplane sends air backward, moving the aircraft forward. When you swim in water you move water backward, moving your body forward. Here's a real tough one (this ought to be good): when you walk, you move the earth backward, moving your body forward.

yea Newtons third law is tricky. The shuttle is pushing against it's own exhaust, essentially. The combustion of the fuel pushes the exhaust backwards and the ship forwards.

So I posed the question to Google.

"how do you create thrust in a vacuum"

Here is the first answer.

How does burning jet fuel create thrust?
...
Very simplified: expansion. When the fuel burns, it creates a lot of heat and that causes the air to expand. As it's happening in a tube, it has to expand along the tube and the rush of hot air gives the thrust. (There are ways of making sure it doesn't go the wrong way, such as having a big fan at the front to push air in. This is driven by a turbine at the other end when the engine is running.) If you want to get really technical (but easy to understand) see
en.wikipedia.org...

www.funtrivia.com...

Sorry to inform this know it all above.

Ummmm

There is no air in space, supposedly.

So, how is thrust produced

Ionisation??

reply to post by Phage


Newton didn't have access to space.

Your third law theory needs further explanation in my book.

But thanks for playing.

It's good to see there are thinkers of deeper realms out there

Welcome to the world of the unknown, called Gods space.

[edit on 13-8-2008 by Manasseh]

reply to post by Manasseh


A jet is not a rocket. Rockets do not use outside air. The fuel and oxidizer are self contained.

But I suppose you're right and Issac was wrong. Maybe angels do it.

Here's my theory.

No one knows diddly squat about what they think they know everything about.

Therefore, one should trust God, as he/she/it is the ultimate creator.

Coming from someone who works for his maker, I am glad to see
relative silence from those who "know it all" on this subject.

Oh, by the way, your government is lying through their teeth.

reply to post by Phage


*Snip* What is the burning of the rocket fuel pushing against to move the space shuttle.

Look, this question will burn your minds, until you accept that there are things in the universe that scientists, in all their self imposing glory, cannot explain.

Until you accept that, then we cannot move on to the next lesson, which is,

God is in control.

Amen?



[edit on 13-8-2008 by alien]

Originally posted by Manasseh
Here's my theory.

No one knows diddly squat about what they think they know everything about.

Therefore, one should trust God, as he/she/it is the ultimate creator.

Coming from someone who works for his maker, I am glad to see
relative silence from those who "know it all" on this subject.

Oh, by the way, your government is lying through their teeth.

Okay, being a firm Catholic, I can say that is one of the most biased and unfair statements I have ever heard on ATS. Not too bite to hard. We acually do know something! Whats up with 'lying through their teeth.'

Newtons 3rd Law: For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

I push the button, the button pushes back, I can feel it. That's why I punch a wall and it hurts.

The gases that use fuel and oxygen inside the craft create gas to push the rocket in a certain direction away from the Earth's gravitation pull!

Are you in a bad mood or something? I not trying to sound mad, wait, I am mad!

I believe in a God, but I am God's solider that Breaks The Silence!

Its not Rocket Science!

Originally posted by Manasseh
reply to post by Phage

 

OK smarty pants, then you tell me. What is the burning of the rocket fuel pushing against to move the space shuttle.

[edit on 13-8-2008 by Manasseh]

You know, you may be on to something. They are lying! There must actually be air in space.

reply to post by truth_seeker3


Too late.
You bit hard.

Being a firm laborer in the works of God, I can tell you.

Nothing

BUT. faith is everything my friend. I have faith that our government feeds us lie after lie to sap the wealth and well being for their own benefit.

But, argue you must, because it probably behooves you, now, doesn't it.

[edit on 13-8-2008 by Manasseh]

Imagine the combustion from the rocket fuel pushing forward against the rocket. The stuff projected into space doesn't push it.

Propellers aren't the same as rockets.

reply to post by Manasseh


What? Are we going back into The Dark Ages?

All you have to do is play Asteroids to realize that thrust works in space, and works very much like it does in Asteroids, I game I rock at.

Come on, man. Read a physics book...How do you think we got the satellites positioned just right in space so that you can use your cellphone and GPS?

reply to post by Phage


Bingo.

Your answer begs questioning.

How did they do that????

reply to post by Manasseh


You are telling us that our government spoon-feeds us information and tells us lie after lie after lie, yet you fail to name ONE lie. One. Please. Maybe I think the government is lying. Can you prove? Or just name one?

You know I believe all three of newtons laws apply to this one. And they all make perfect sence but I do also see where the op is coming from. I think if you simply study how it all works a little you would see how simple the idea of the rocket propultion in space is. Everyone learns differently you just need to find the explination that fits for you. If you do google it however you will find a vast amount of information on how this works, just have to do one thing which will probably be the hardest thing for you. Open your mind a little and try to see the other side.

[edit on 13-8-2008 by Landphil]

reply to post by windwaker


You tell me.

Bet you I can beat you at "stroids"

I was playing that before Star Wars had diapers.

Mind conditioning at its finest.

No one can come up with an answer, because thrust in space is impossible, just like freezing temperatures are impossible because there is no temperature in space.

It's a big lie. No one has been to the heavens, accept those that God allows, and they sure weren't the like of Neil Armstrong.

reply to post by Manasseh


Dude, you are on the Internet? Just Wikipedia the damn thing...

Space Shuttle (Wikipedia)

Took me all of two minutes.

reply to post by Landphil


Could you please just refer to ONE google answer. One is all we need.

No, we are being spoon fed.

reply to post by Phage


Good answer.

For a second line

NOT!