Rocket Facts for Kids
As kids, we all have been fascinated by rockets and their ability to soar high up in the sky. Rockets are powerful machines that are used to launch satellites, space probes, and even humans into space. Here are some fun facts about rockets that will make you love them more:
1. Rockets are very fast: Rockets travel at an incredible speed of up to 25,000 miles per hour. This means that they can cross the United States in just 20 minutes!
2. Rockets work by pushing: Rockets use powerful engines to push gases out of their back ends. This action, known as thrust, propels the rocket upwards and out of the Earth’s atmosphere.
3. Rockets need a lot of fuel: The amount of fuel needed to launch a rocket into space is enormous. To launch a space shuttle, for example, it requires about 8 million pounds of fuel.
4. Rockets don’t need air: Unlike airplanes, rockets don’t need air to move forward. They carry their own oxygen supply with them, which is used to burn the rocket’s fuel.
5. Rockets can make loud noises: The sound of a rocket taking off is incredibly loud. It can reach up to 200 decibels, which is enough to cause hearing loss.
6. Rockets can be re-used: Some rockets, like SpaceX’s Falcon 9, are designed to be reusable. This means that instead of being discarded after a single use, they can be flown multiple times.
7. Rockets can explore the universe: Rockets have been used to explore our solar system and beyond. NASA’s Voyager spacecraft, which was launched in 1977, is still sending data back to Earth from deep space.
8. Rocket scientists are important: Creating a rocket is a complex process that requires the skills of many professionals, including engineers, chemists, and physicists. Rocket scientists have played a significant role in space exploration.