Getting to space requires reaching escape velocity from "summary" of Rocket Science: A Beginner's Guide to the Fundamentals of Spaceflight by Andrew Rader
To leave Earth and go to space, a rocket must travel fast enough to break free from the planet's gravitational pull. This critical speed is known as escape velocity. Reaching escape velocity is a fundamental requirement for any spacecraft aiming to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere. Without achieving this speed, a rocket would be unable to overcome the force of gravity and would eventually fall back to the ground. Escape velocity is determined by a combination of the mass of the planet and the distance from its center. The larger the planet and the closer you are to its surface, the higher the escape velocity required. For Earth, this speed is about 11.2 kilometers per second, or roughly 25,000 miles per hour. Achieving such incredible velocity is no easy feat and requires powerful rocket engines and carefully calculated trajectories. During a rocket launch, the vehicle must first overcome the force of gravity pulling it back towards Earth. This is achieved through the controlled combustion of rocket fuel, which generates a powerful thrust pushing the rocket upwards. As the rocket accelerates, it builds up speed until it reaches escape velocity. Once this speed is attained, the rocket can break free from Earth's gravity and continue its journey into space. The concept of escape velocity is crucial in understanding how rockets and spacecraft operate in the challenging environment of space. Without reaching this critical speed, a rocket would be unable to achieve orbit around a planet or travel to other celestial bodies. It serves as a key milestone in the process of spaceflight, marking the point at which a spacecraft transitions from being bound to Earth to exploring the vast unknown of outer space.- Escape velocity is a fundamental concept in rocket science that dictates the speed required for a spacecraft to break free from Earth's gravitational pull and journey into space. By reaching this critical speed, rockets can overcome the force of gravity and continue their mission beyond the confines of our planet's atmosphere.
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