Acceleration

An increase in velocity.


Aerodynamics

The ability of a moving object to resist drag or friction caused by air.


Altitude

The distance above the Earth's surface.


Apogee

The point in space when the moon or an artificial satellite is furthest from Earth.


Booster Rockets

Propulsion engines used to launch a rocket.


Center of Gravity

The balance point of an object.


Delay

The time between a rockets apogee and the deployment of the recovery system.


Drag

Friction caused by the movement of air over an object.


Ejection

The release of the recovery system.


Escape Velocity

(17,600 MPH) The speed needed to break the Earth's gravitational pull.


Gravity

The downward pull exerted by a planet or star upon an object of less mass.


Lift

The force which allows an object to gain altitude.


Mass

The amount of matter in an object.


NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration.


Orbit

A satellites path around a planet or star.


Payload

Object carried for the mission but NOT part of the rocket operation.


Perigee

The point in space when a moon or artificial safellite is closest to Earth.


Propellant

A mixture of fuel and oxygen.


Revolution

The time is takes for a moon to orbit a planet or a planet to orbit the sun.


Rotation

The time it takes for a planet or star to spin one complete time.


Satellite

Any object (natural or artificial) in orbit around another object.


Speed of Light

(186,000 miles per second)  The velocity that light travels.


Stability

The ability for a rocket to fly in the desired path and under control.


Thrust

The force that propels an object forward.