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To: Ol' Dan Tucker

im just asking... that makes sense in atmosphere, but in space how does a total vacuum determine/receive exhaust pressure/speed?? how does a total vacuum determine if that craft is doing 3 mph or 30,000 mph??


9 posted on 12/29/2023 1:46:14 PM PST by sit-rep
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To: sit-rep
im just asking... that makes sense in atmosphere, but in space how does a total vacuum determine/receive exhaust pressure/speed?? how does a total vacuum determine if that craft is doing 3 mph or 30,000 mph??

Newton's Second Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Blow exhaust out a rocket nozzle at 30,000 MPH (theoretical) and the spacecraft will be propelled to 30,000 MPH, but no more than that.

The only way a spacecraft can go faster is by using the gravity of a planet to slingshot it to higher velocities, which is what NASA uses for exploration of the outer solar system.

15 posted on 12/29/2023 3:19:27 PM PST by Ol' Dan Tucker (For 'tis the sport to have the engineer hoist with his own petard., -- Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 4)
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