How does the Space Shuttle take off?
A) Its rocket engines push against the launch pad, propelling the shuttle upwards.
B) by converting mass-energy to kinetic energy
C) by achieving lift from its wings in the same way that airplanes do
D) Hot gas shoots out from the rocket and, by conservation of momentum, the shuttle moves in the opposite direction.
E) The hot rocket exhaust expands the air beneath the shuttle, propelling it forward.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Space Shuttle takes off by the hot gas shooting out from the rocket, which creates a reaction force in the opposite direction by the conservation of momentum principle. This is known as Newton's third law.

How Does the Space Shuttle Take Off