Russian scientist who developed
the theory of space flight. He published the first practical paper on astronautics
1903, dealing with space travel by rockets using liquid propellants, such
as liquid oxygen.
Tsiolkovsky was born in the Spassk district and had little formal education;
he was deaf from the age of ten. He never actually constructed a rocket,
but his theories and designs were fundamental in helping to establish the
reality of space flight. In 1883 Tsiolkovsky proved that it is feasible
for a rocket-propelled craft to travel through the vacuum of space. He calculated
that in order to achieve flight into space, speeds of 11.26 km/7 mi per
second or 40,232 kph/25,000 mph would be needed - the escape velocity for
Earth. Known solid fuels were too heavy, so Tsiolkovsky worked out how to
use liquid fuels. He also suggested the 'piggyback' or step principle, with
one rocket on top of another. When the lower one was expended, it could
be jettisoned (reducing the weight) while the next one fired and took over. |