Question: how do rockets get into space

Andrew Cairns answered on 22 Nov 2011:

For anything to get into space, the object must be able to overcome (‘escape’) from the strong gravitational force everything experiences on the surface of the earth. The force upwards (from the rocket engines) must be greater than the force keeping the rocket on the ground (from gravity).

This force comes from the rocket engines, as they propel high temperature/pressure gas towards the earth, this creates an upward force on the rocket. This is an example of Newton’s third law of motion, that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The engines throw mass towards the ground, which causes a force to applied upwards.

In the course of answering your question I realised I don’t fully understand how these amazing machines work, and I came across this website: http://www.howstuffworks.com/rocket.htm Check it out, some good stuff on there!

A strange fact is that the first manmade object into space was not a rocket, but probably a manhole. It was covering an experimental facility in the US and an accident caused an explosion underneath it, meaning it was catapulted into space!