If you peeked inside a rocket, you would mostly find fuel. Way more fuel than you would expect. Here is the simple reason.
01
Gravity is sticky
Earth pulls everything down with a gentle, never-ending tug. To leave, a rocket has to push harder than that tug for a long time.
Earth's pull is strong and steady.
02
Fuel weighs a lot too
Sneaky twist: the fuel itself is heavy, so the rocket needs even more fuel to lift the fuel it already has. That is why rockets get so big.
03
Stages drop the dead weight
Once a tank is empty, the rocket drops it like an empty juice box. Lighter rocket, easier ride to space.
Quick wins
Take these with you
- 1Earth's pull is strong and steady.
- 2Fuel has to lift fuel, which adds up.
- 3Rockets drop empty parts to keep going.
CB
Written by
Captain Beep
Loves a good explainer.