Keywords
Ballistics, projectile, rockets
Newtonian mechanics
How to Cite
Abstract
We consider the features of the translatory motion of a rocket. It is found that its trajectory can have an inflection point or even contain an S-shaped section in the case of the relatively low initial speed. Both these features are explained by the fact that initially, the vertical component of the constant thrust is less than the gravity force. However, due to fuel consumption, it becomes greater than gravity. The times corresponding to the trajectory local extrema are determined using the Lambert W-function.
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