On June 23, 1949, the XS-1, a rocket engine-powered spaceplane flying faster than the speed of sound, passed its 117th flight. Skip to main content. Open menu Close menu. Space.

The 10-foot-high Raptor—which powers the Starship—is arguably the most advanced Western rocket engine in production. Its latest iteration produces 280 tonnes of thrust at sea level, surpassing ...

That said, rocket engines are unconventional and vastly different from the airplane, car, and other common engines. While rockets also combust fuel to move like other engines, there is a ...

Rocket launches are loud, and big rockets are louder. Launches used to be occasional spectacles, and not many people minded the noise. But the pace has quickened.