The mathematics of spaceflight involves the combination of knowledge from two different areas of physics and mathematics: rocket science and celestial mechanics. Rocket science is the study of how to design and build rockets and how to efficiently launch a vehicle into space. Celestial mechanics is the study of the mathematics of orbits and trajectories in space. Celestial mechanics uses the laws of motion and the law of gravity as first stated by Isaac Newton.

A Short History of Rockets

People have wondered about the possibility of space flight since ancient times. Centuries ago the Chinese used rockets for ceremonial and military purposes. In the latter half of the twentieth century, we have been able to develop rockets powerful enough to launch vehicles into space with sufficient energy to achieve or exceed orbital velocities.

The rockets mentioned in the American national anthem, the "Star...