How does a rocket go up?

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentChip asked me how a rocket goes up. I am explaining physics to a man in a kindergarten chair, and I suspect this was arranged.

2. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep one. A rocket burns fuel and blasts hot gas out of its bottom, very fast.

3. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorLike a garden hose! You point it down, water shoots out, and the hose jumps up in your hands.

4. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep two. Pushing the gas down pushes the rocket up. Every push has an equal push back, per Wikipedia, thanks to Newton.

5. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the guy gets spat out, and the ride goes up because it feels bad about it.

6. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNo feelings. Step three. It is like letting go of a balloon and watching it zoom away.

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOh, a balloon! Like the one the funnel cake man gave me, which also left me.

8. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep four. Rockets carry their own oxygen, so they can keep burning in space.

9. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo it packs its own funnel cakes. Smart. You never know what the fair in space will have.

10. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt is fuel and oxygen, Chip. Nobody is eating anything.

11. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBut if there is no air in space, what does the rocket push against?

12. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat is the best question I have heard all year. Nothing! It pushes against its own exhaust.

13. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentGas goes one way, rocket goes the other, air or no air.

14. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo a funnel cake vendor could fly home from the fair just by throwing funnel cakes backward.