Rocket Propulsion, please advise?

Question

What propels the rocket/spacecraft after the two main thrusters are used up?

e.g All the way to the moon?

Or moon landing up till now is still not possible, being just a hoax?

Answer 1

The moon flight was a managed ballistic flight from Earth orbit to moon orbit. That is, the Apollo 11 was launched onto a track that took it into Earth orbit. From there, a further burn aimed the spacecraft toward a moon orbit. Several correction burns were required en route so that when the Apollo reached the moon, it became a satellite of a satellite, so to speak. Moon orbit insertion was achieved by a deceleration burn and and a later insertion burn.

So the answer to your question about what propels the spacecraft is a combination of rocket burn, momentum and gravitational force(s).

NASA spent a few taxpayer dollars to provide a detailed view of the elements of the Apollo flight on the website below. It's a nice piece of work and will make you an expert.

http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/attm/...

Answer 2

I work in propulsion systems for the government, but not NASA the defense department instead. My only answer is the engine, everybody talks about all this science behind space exploration, but no one ever just says the engine involved. Trust me you'll never launch anything without an engine involved.

Answer 3

Liquid Oxygen LOX is main propellant used. Once out of Earth's atmosphere, friction is negligible.