How a machine escapes gravity explained without a physics degree.
At its core, a rocket works on Newton's Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. By expelling gas out of its engine at high speeds, the rocket is pushed in the opposite direction. It takes an incredible amount of energy and precise engineering to overcome the Earth's gravitational pull and reach orbital velocity.
Modern launch vehicles are complex feats of engineering. They consist of multiple stages, each with its own engines and propellant. The first stage provides the massive initial thrust needed to lift off, while upper stages take over in the thinner atmosphere to insert the payload into orbit.
Reaching space is only half the battle; staying there requires immense speed. A spacecraft must achieve an orbital velocity of roughly 28,000 km/h to continuously fall around the Earth without hitting the ground.