How to Get to Orbit 🚀 Spaceflight 101
In this Spaceflight 101 video, we dive deep into the basics of how rockets achieve and maintain orbits around planets, including Earth Orbit. Using Kerbal Space Program as our visual aid, we demonstrate the basic fundamental concepts of orbital spaceflight. From the initial launch to reaching orbital velocity, we cover the importance of the gravity turn, a critical maneuver that maximizes fuel efficiency by gradually tilting the rocket’s path toward horizontal. You'll learn why achieving an orbital speed of about 7.8 kilometers per second (28,000 kilometers per hour) on Earth, or 2.4 kilometers per second (8,640 kilometers per hour) on Kerbin in Kerbal Space Program, is crucial for staying in orbit.
We also explain the key points of an orbit: apogee and perigee. You'll understand why performing a circularizing burn at apogee is essential for converting an elliptical orbit into a stable circular orbit, making it ideal for deploying satellites. We answer common questions such as why this burn is performed at the apogee, and whether it's always necessary to circularize an orbit. Additionally, we explore the role of retrograde burns in deorbiting and reentry, highlighting the importance of reducing velocity to safely return to Earth.
Through the demonstration, we deploy a payload and perform a retrograde burn to bring the Falcon 9’s second stage back down, showing the reentry process and the challenges it presents. We discuss the typical procedures for reentry and how heat shields protect the spacecraft during this phase. There's a humorous twist as our Kerbal Space Program simulation doesn't go as planned, with the second stage surviving reentry and crashing, unlike real-life scenarios where it would burn up.
This video is perfect for beginners looking to understand the basics of spaceflight and orbital mechanics. Whether you're a space enthusiast or someone curious about how rockets work, this Spaceflight 101 guide provides clear and detailed explanations. Make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more space adventures with Overlook Horizon. Stay curious, and keep exploring!
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