In my last post you learned that I picked the topic of rocket and aerospace engineering.  Today was the beginning of my research. As I said in my proposal, the first thing I would do would be to urn to NASA. I started at NASA’s website and clicked a link that was related to my first guiding question. It was labeled, The Four major systems that make up a rocket.

The first system was the structural system.  The structural system, or frame is similar to the fuelsage of an airplane. The frame must be lightweight but strong. So it is made from strong and lightweight materials such as titanium and aluminum. The frame employs strong stringers wich run from the top to the bottom of the rocket. This is what more or less keeps the rocket together. Next the skin or outer layer is then attached, and fins are added for stability. The fins and skin are things you see from the outside of the rockets. That is the structural system.

Next you have the propulsion system. The propulsion system is used to get the rocket off the gr0und. There is two classes of propulsion. Liquid rocket engines and solid rocket engines. In liquid rockets the fuel and the oxidizer are stored separately and then are pumped into the combustion chamber of the nozzle where burning occurs. In a solid rocket engine, the two are mixed together as a solid cylinder. When exposed to an igniter they will burn and the rocket will take off!

The next system of a rocket is the guidance system. The guidance system is made up of very sophisticated sensors, radars, computers, and guidance systems to maneuver the rocket in flight.

The last system is the payload system. What’s in the payload system depends on the rockets mission. It could be fire works to celebrate, or ballistic missiles to attack from space.

Here is a diagram

This was the beginning of my research. I will continue to post daily.