Actually, the Helios is designed to operate in a gaseous environment, albeit a very thin one. More important, however, is the the misinformation about rocket engines and combustion. Rockets do not work, as stated, because of a net force in the forward direction. According to Newton's third law the force is equal and opposite in each direction. The rocket material moves in both directions, with the actual rocket moving forward and the burning fuel spewing out the back at a much higher acceleration (due to the lower mass of the fuel molecules). The rocket only moves forward because of the "kick" of the molecular bullets.
Slashdot Mirror
No, F=ma, "a" is acceleration.
Actually, the Helios is designed to operate in a gaseous environment, albeit a very thin one. More important, however, is the the misinformation about rocket engines and combustion. Rockets do not work, as stated, because of a net force in the forward direction. According to Newton's third law the force is equal and opposite in each direction. The rocket material moves in both directions, with the actual rocket moving forward and the burning fuel spewing out the back at a much higher acceleration (due to the lower mass of the fuel molecules). The rocket only moves forward because of the "kick" of the molecular bullets.
Actually, you might be a little disappointed in a certain republican, specifically our fine president.
Here is how he really feels about basic research.