rasketehnika

Rasketehnika, or rocket technology, is a branch of aerospace engineering focused on the design, development, production, testing and operation of rockets and spacecraft, including propulsion systems, guidance and control, structures, and thermal protection. It covers both military missiles and civilian launch vehicles, as well as scientific probes and crewed spacecraft.

Historically, rasketehnika emerged from early rocketry research in the late 19th and 20th centuries, with theoretical foundations by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and practical advances by Robert Goddard, and later by Wernher von Braun and Sergei Korolev. The space age began with the launch of artificial satellites and human spaceflight, followed by orbital missions and planetary exploration. In recent decades, the field has evolved to emphasize reusability, cost reduction, and more efficient propulsion, enabling frequent launches and deep-space missions.

Core technologies include chemical propulsion (liquids, solids, and hybrids), propulsion system components (turbopumps, valves, propellants), stages and vehicle integration, structural design and materials, thermal protection systems, and avionics for guidance, navigation, and control. Testing infrastructure such as engine test stands, static-fire tests, vacuum chambers, and wind tunnels supports development.

Applications encompass satellite deployment, interplanetary missions, cargo and crew transport to space stations, and military missiles. The discipline intersects with safety, regulation, and international treaties governing space activities and missile technology. Ongoing research addresses propellant chemistry, reusable launch concepts, advanced materials, and autonomous mission design.

Education and industry sustain rasketehnika through universities, national space agencies, and private space companies that provide launch services, propulsion R&D, and systems engineering.