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Are there any possible methods of propulsion in outer space other than rockets? If so, what are they and why are they not used?

Are there any possible methods of propulsion in outer space other than rockets? If so, what are they and why are they not used?

Grade:10

1 Answers

Jitender Pal
askIITians Faculty 365 Points
8 years ago

It is important to realize that to lift an object against the gravity work must be done by an external agent, which in case of the rocket is provided by the chemical energy of the fuel.
There can be many ways of propulsions in outer space such as:
(a) Multiple stage jet propulsion:
One can use a multiple stage jet propulsion to accelerate an object into the outer space. However the number of stages required for the same would be so large that the mass of the fuel would increase significantly, and it will become difficult to accelerate the object and the fuel. Hence, this technique cannot be used to practice.
(b) Setting up an elevator:
One can also set up an elevator between a station in space and one on Earth. However this would be practically inefficient because the amount of electrical work needed to accomplish the same would be immensely large, and providing the large amount of power using cables would be worthless.
Environmental and atmospheric conditions also creep in, to reduce the total efficiency of the technique.
(c) Magnetic accelerator:
One can accelerate an object on a platform using strong magnetic fields. The track on which the object is accelerated if has to be designed elegantly such that one can accelerate the object in while moving it in a circular fashion over the track, and once the object reaches the desired speed, it could be projected at an inclination.
The high speed guarantees that the object moves into the orbit around the Earth. The technique would require strong magnetic fields that would increase the power requirements of the system. Also, the track must be able to support the object moving at those large speeds and the object must be aerodynamically designed.
This would cost more, but is not that inefficient to put in practice.

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