• Question: How will we improve rockets to get out of the solar system?

    Asked by onleethebrave to Cathy, Jaz, Mark, Roma, Rory on 19 Jun 2014.
    • Photo: Mark Greaves

      Mark Greaves answered on 19 Jun 2014:


      Hello,

      I don’t know! Maybe use more powerful and efficient propulsion systems???
      We may need to improve the communication links too so we could control the rocket.

      Mark

    • Photo: Roma Agrawal

      Roma Agrawal answered on 19 Jun 2014:


      We need to make them lighter and faster- the hardest bit is getting enough energy for the rocket to leave the earth’s atmosphere. We would also need to make sure that the communication system can work from that far away, otherwise we won’t know what’s happening to the rocket!

    • Photo: Rory Hadden

      Rory Hadden answered on 19 Jun 2014:


      I think we will end up building the space ship in space. AS Roma says the weight is the problem because the bigger the spaceship, the heavier it is and the more fuel you need. But the fuel has weight so you need more fuel to take that extra fuel into space… Its a never-ending problem!

      So building in space is an idea to build a big spaceship capable of travelling for a long time.

      Some spaceships are now use light like a sailing boat uses wind to propel them! I don’t understand how that works but it sounds cool!

      A spaceship that was launched 40 years ago just left our solar system – the first man made thing to do so. I wonder what it will find?

      Rory

    • Photo: Cathy Fraser

      Cathy Fraser answered on 20 Jun 2014:


      For me, it’s the fact that it will take such a long time to leave the solar system – look at Rory’s comment on the 40 year craft!
      To improve it – I would think we’d need to improve the speed of the rocket, which needs more fuel, which is an issue! Perhaps there’s a way of using other things – like light to convert to energy to use for propulsion?

    • Photo: Jaz Rabadia

      Jaz Rabadia answered on 20 Jun 2014:


      I agree with everyone, key thing is the weight of the rocket and the fuel that is being used. Fuels are becoming more efficient and more powerful day by day. One thing i would say is we probably couldnt use solar power if we are leaving the solar system 😉

      jaz

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