Velocity of Rocket in Outer Space

Theorem

Let $B$ be a rocket travelling in outer space.

Let the velocity of $B$ at time $t$ be $\mathbf v$.

Let the mass of $B$ at time $t$ be $m$.

Let the exhaust velocity of $B$ be constant at $\mathbf b$.

Then the velocity of $B$ at time $t$ is given by:

$\map {\mathbf v} t = \map {\mathbf v} 0 + \mathbf b \ln \dfrac {\map m 0} {\map m t}$

where $\map {\mathbf v} 0$ and $\map m 0$ are the velocity and mass of $B$ at time $t = 0$.

From Motion of Rocket in Outer Space, the equation of motion of $B$ is given by:

$m \dfrac {\d \mathbf v} {\d t} = -\mathbf b \dfrac {\d m} {\d t}$

Hence:

$\ds \int_0^t \dfrac {\d \mathbf v} {\d t} \rd t$

$=$

$\ds -\int_0^t \mathbf b \frac 1 m \dfrac {\d m} {\d t} \rd t$

$\ds \leadsto \ \ $

$\ds \int_{t \mathop = 0}^t \rd \mathbf v$

$=$

$\ds -\int_{t \mathop = 0}^t \mathbf b \dfrac {\d m} m$

$\ds \leadsto \ \ $

$\ds \bigintlimits {\mathbf v} 0 t$

$=$

$\ds -\mathbf b \bigintlimits {\ln m} 0 t$

$\ds \leadsto \ \ $

$\ds \map {\mathbf v} t - \map {\mathbf v} 0$

$=$

$\ds -\mathbf b \paren {\map {\ln m} t - \map {\ln m} 0}$

$\ds \leadsto \ \ $

$\ds \map {\mathbf v} t$

$=$

$\ds \map {\mathbf v} 0 + \mathbf b \ln \dfrac {\map m 0} {\map m t}$

$\blacksquare$

1992: George F. Simmons: Calculus Gems ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {B}.8$: Rocket Propulsion in Outer Space