05. How many people does it take to build a rocket? How long does it take from start to finish? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

Designing rockets to carry payloads or people safely into space requires diligent work. The engine must operate at high pressures and temperatures, and the vehicle must carry a very large amount of propellant yet be as light as possible. Payload carried to orbit is less than one percent of the vehicle. Every component must be carefully analyzed to make sure it is strong enough to function safely, yet as light as possible. Thousands of components designed by different people, possibly in different companies, must fit together; they must work and perform all the functions required even under extreme and unusual circumstances. Everything must be tested before it is assembled and again after it is assembled. So, designing, building and testing a new rocket vehicle to take payloads or people into space requires a large number of people—maybe thousands—and many years—maybe five to ten.

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Answer provided by John W. Cole

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

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