In this short video we answer the question: What makes a rocket fly? How does the rocket achieve its flight and what is it that is so different about how the rocket flies that makes it stand out as unique in the category of all flying machines?

Robert explains why the answer often surprises people with both its simplicity and its odd familiarity. Rocket science is sometimes simpler than you may think - and you won't need your calculator to understand Robert's explaination.

(Having said that of course, developing amd launching a new rocket without due consideration of the elements of the 'rocket equation' is just more or less expensive scrap metal collecting.)

Presented by Robert J Dalby FRAS

For more information on the technology and history of the A4-V2 missile visit our website at: http://www.v2rockethistory.com.

Produced by DB Video Services for Astronomy and Nature TV