Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

Explained in plain English

How do thrusters work?

Thrusters work by expelling a high-velocity stream of propellant in one direction, which creates an equal and opposite force that pushes the spacecraft in the other direction. Think of it like letting air out of a balloon: the air goes one way, and the balloon shoots off the other. This precise control is crucial for Link to grab Swift.

Stories that explain this

Robot launched to save falling NASA space telescope

Questions this opens up

What is propellant? How do rockets steer? What is Newton's third law?

Related explainers

How do orbits work? What is atmospheric drag? Why don't satellites crash? How high is space? Who is Link the robot? How long do satellites last? What is orbital decay? What is orbital velocity?

The full catalogue

Browse every card filed under T →