rakéta

Rakéta is the Hungarian term for a rocket—a device or vehicle propelled by a rocket engine, using stored propellant to produce high-speed exhaust. In everyday usage it covers space launch vehicles, military missiles, and firework devices, as well as rocket-powered experiments and propulsion units. A rakéta typically carries its own oxidizer and fuel, and relies on Newton’s third law to generate thrust. Rocket propulsion can operate with or without atmospheric air, which makes rockets suitable for spaceflight, high-altitude research, and certain military applications. Modern rockets may use liquid-propellant, solid-propellant, or hybrid engines and often employ multiple stages to reach high velocities.

Etymology: The word rakéta is a loanword from German Rakete, with cognates in many European languages.

History: The broader history of rocketry begins with early gunpowder devices in China and evolved through the centuries. In the 20th century, rocket technology advanced rapidly in wartime programs, notably the V-2, and later became central to space exploration. Postwar developments led to orbital launch vehicles, multi-stage designs, and increasingly sophisticated propulsion systems. In contemporary times, both state and commercial actors operate rockets for satellite deployment, interplanetary missions, and scientific research, while rockets also remain a component of defense systems. Advances include reusability, automation, and improved efficiency of propulsion and guidance.

See also: rocketry, rocket engine.