WorksheetsSpace Propulsion
Total questions: 52
Worksheet time: 35mins
The main thing needed to get something into space is _.
(a)
(a) is the energy expended against gravity (via the velocity the rocket must be able to achieve)
(b) is the power of the rocket fuel (speed - and thus energy - it is capable of creating)
(c) is the how much of a rocket's mass should be dedicated to fuel
Which of the following is not a type of chemical rocket?
Solid
Liquid
Hybrid
Cold Gas
Thermal
Ion thrusters are
electric rockets
thermal rockets
chemical rockets
non-rockets
Solar sails are
electric rockets
thermal rockets
chemical rockets
non-rockets
Most space propulsion devices are
electric rockets
thermal rockets
chemical rockets
non-rockets
What is the purpose of staging in a multi-stage rocket?
To provide a platform for astronauts to rest.
To make the rocket look more impressive.
To reduce weight and increase efficiency.
To increase weight and decrease efficiency.
What is the escape velocity?
The escape velocity is the force that pulls objects towards a planet or celestial body.
The escape velocity is the minimum velocity an object needs to escape the gravitational pull of a planet or other celestial body.
The escape velocity is the maximum velocity an object can reach within a planet's atmosphere.
The escape velocity is the speed at which an object can travel through space.
What is the significance of the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation?
It calculates the maximum payload capacity of a rocket.
It determines the fuel efficiency of a rocket.
It measures the thrust generated by a rocket engine.
It relates the delta-v of a rocket to the exhaust velocity and the initial and final masses of the rocket.
What are rocket propellants made up of?
Fuel and water
Fuel and an oxidizer
Oxygen and hydrogen
Nitrogen and helium
How do rocket engines work?
By using only fuel to create a controlled explosion.
By taking in fuel and oxidizer and igniting them to create a controlled explosion.
By releasing fuel into the atmosphere to create propulsion.
By using solar power to generate thrust.
An oxidizer is
the fuel needed for a rocket to burn
the source of oxygen to ignite the rocket's fuel
the valve to control how long the rocket's fuel burns
a coating to prevent rust on the rocket
Which propulsion system would be a good option to...
Deploy a satellite (that has been launched) into its correct orbit.
Tether
Solar Sail
Cold Gas Rocket
Hybrid Rocket
Ion Thruster
In a ___, expelled matter causes propulsion according to Newton's 3rd Law.
Check all that apply.
chemical rocket
electric rocket
thermal rocket
solar sail
tether
In a ___, the propellant acts as both the matter to be expelled and the energy source.
Check all that apply.
chemical rocket
electric rocket
thermal rocket
solar sail
tether
In a ___, the propellant is the matter to be expelled, but there is a separate power/energy source.
Check all that apply.
chemical rocket
electric rocket
thermal rocket
solar sail
tether
Which type of rocket fuel is more stable?
solid grain
liquid
Which type of rocket fuel is more conrollable?
solid grain
liquid
In a hybrid rocket, the ___ is solid but the ___ is liquid.
fuel / oxidizer
oxidizer / fuel
In a cold gas rocket, the propellant is
solid grain
liquid
gas under high pressure
none of these
Which of the following is NOT an example of a thermal rocket?
laser
solar
nuclear
arc discharge
cold gas
All rockets expel some kind of propellant, but that happens differently for each type. Match them:
(a) : a chemical reaction releases thermal energy
(b) : a power source heats the fluid to a high temperature
(c) : electrical forces accelerate the propellant
In a thermal rocket, the propellant is most likely
the fuel
a heated fluid
ions
any of these
In a chemical rocket, the propellant is most likely
the fuel
a heated fluid
ions
any of these
In an electric rocket, the propellant is most likely
the fuel
a heated fluid
ions
any of these
Ion thrusters have
low thrust for a short time
high thrust for a short time
low thrust for a long time
high thrust for a long time
Solid rockets have
low thrust for a short time
high thrust for a short time
low thrust for a long time
high thrust for a long time
In a ___, photons from the sun strike the system and create a force.
thermal rocket
tether
solar sail
chemical rocket
Which statement best describes the status of solar sails?
tested but not used on a spacecraft
not actively in development
in wide use on spacecraft
in use on spacecraft, but limited
Which statement best describes the status of tethers?
tested but not used on a spacecraft
not actively in development
in wide use on spacecraft
in use on spacecraft, but limited
Solid rocket engines are most often used on vehicles that
remain in or very near Earth's atmosphere
remain in orbit near Earth
go to the moon
go well beyond the limits of Earth's atmosphere
Match each application with the rocket system most likely to be used:
attitude control
drones
space rockets
military rockets
liftoff boosters
model rockets
Which system is least likely to be used for the launch of a spacecraft from the Earth?
Solid Rocket
Electric Rocket
Liquid Rocket
Hybrid Rocket
Tethers are (theoretically) primarily suited for
adjusting the orientation of a satellite in orbit
launching small spacecraft
helping two spacecraft dock with each other
deploying satellites in a specific orbit
Cold gas rockets are primarily used for
adjusting the orientation of a spacecraft in orbit
launching small spacecraft
helping two spacecraft dock with each other
deploying satellites in a specific orbit
The primary advantage of a solid rocket fuel is its
high thrust
controllability
reliability
long operation time
The primary advantage of a liquid rocket fuel is its
high thrust
controllability
reliability
long operation time
The best use for an electric rocket would be
adjusting the orientation of a spacecraft
launching a spacecraft from the surface of the Earth
long-term, deep space missions
short-term, near-Earth missions (e.g. to the moon or Mars)
A(n) __ rocket is typically an ion or plasma thruster.
hybrid
electric
thermal
solid
liquid
A propulsion system with a high Isp means there is __ propellant needed to perform a maneuver.
more
less
Reorder the following from LEAST to GREATEST Delta V:
getting from a high earth orbit to a lunar orbit
getting from low earth orbit to high earth orbit
getting from the surface of the earth to low orbit
Reorder the following from LEAST to GREATEST Thrust:
Ion Thruster
Liquid Rocket
Solid Rocket
Which of these would have the highest specific impulse?
a liquid rocket
a solid rocket
an ion thruster
Specific impulse is measured as
thrust force/mass
speed of propellant leaving the nozzle
amount of propellant/time
thrust force/time
Chemical rockets have
high thrust but low efficiency
high thrust and high efficiency
low thrust but high efficiency
low thrust and low efficiency
Electrical rockets have
high thrust but low efficiency
high thrust and high efficiency
low thrust but high efficiency
low thrust and low efficiency
__ have a little bit of thrust for a long time.
__ have a lot of thrust for a short time.
Rockets
Thrusters
Thrusters
Rockets
A monopropellant liquid rocket uses _ fuel sources.
1
2
3
4
Match Newton's Laws of Motion:
1st
inertia
2nd
F = ma
3rd
equal & opposite reaction
Space propulsion is driven primarily by which of Newton's Laws?
1st
2nd
3rd
The primary use for a liquid rocket would be
spacecraft launch
attitude/orbit control
long-range missions
satellite depolyment
Which types of rockets have enough thrust to launch a spacecraft from the Earth?
Only solid, liquid, and hybrid
All rockets
All chemical rockets
Chemical rockets and thermal rockets
Chemical rockets and electric rockets
