Why is it a rocket🚀 is used to go straight up into outer space and not just use an airplane ✈️ ? I’m sure there is a good reason but it seems that the gradual assent would be preferred over the straight up approach.
In: Engineering
Several reasons.
The plane is not airtight and pulls in outside air to keep the occupants alive. No air in space, no alive humans on board.
Jet engines require oxygen to burn fuel. Rockets carry their own fuel and oxidizer so they can thrust in an airless atmosphere.
Plane wings require airflow over the wings to generate lift. No air in space, no ability to leave the atmosphere and climb into space.
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