INTRODUCTION

Anyone who has ever dropped a book on his or her foot or broken a vase understands the power of gravity. That universal force that keeps us on the ground also poses one of the greatest scientific challenges for the space program.

While planes, cars, and even baseballs need force to move them forward, a rocket needs even more force to break the bonds of gravity to move it up into the atmosphere and beyond.

This force is provided by propulsion.

Delta Rocket ready for launch at KSC
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