International Skeptics Forum - View Single Post - [Merged] Rockets cannot propel in the vacuum of space.

dasmiller · 17th April 2019, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by dann

Is he/she saying that you might as well pour the rocket fuel directly out of the exhaust pipes without igniting it to create thrust because the mass is all that matters???

Sort of. From the equations, I think he/she is saying that if you take a pipe, squirt fluid into it at one end, have that fluid come out of the other end at the same speed, then there won't be any thrust on the pipe.

Which is true, but it's not a good description of how rockets work.

17th April 2019, 08:12 AM	#12
dasmiller Just the right amount of cowbell Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Well past Hither, looking for Yon Posts: 6,379	Originally Posted by dann Is he/she saying that you might as well pour the rocket fuel directly out of the exhaust pipes without igniting it to create thrust because the mass is all that matters??? Sort of. From the equations, I think he/she is saying that if you take a pipe, squirt fluid into it at one end, have that fluid come out of the other end at the same speed, then there won't be any thrust on the pipe. Which is true, but it's not a good description of how rockets work.
	__________________ "In times of war, we need warriors. But this isn't a war." - Phil Plaitt Last edited by dasmiller; 17th April 2019 at 08:15 AM. Reason: a bit of clarification