A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle that obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction. Rocket engines push rockets forwards simply by throwing their exhaust backwards extremely fast.
While comparatively inefficient for low speed use, rockets are relatively lightweight and powerful, capable of generating large accelerations and of attaining extremely high speeds with reasonable efficiency. Rockets are not reliant on the atmosphere and work very well in space.
Rockets for military and recreational uses date back to at least 13th century China.
Rockets in Trail of Glory[]
The British military used Congreve rockets when they initiated their assault on the United States Capitol. The Capitol's defenders were not terribly impressed with the barrage, and the barrage itself did little damage.
It can be assumed that the British military used Congreve rockets at the Battle of Bladensburg, as they did in the OTL.
Rockets in 1632[]
Rockets were known in 17th century Europe, but as fireworks. The information and practical knowledge brought back by Grantville allowed rocket development to skip ahead by several centuries. While they were still black-powder rockets with black-powder warheads, they were spin-stabilized, and did not need long guide poles. However, they were still unguided, and not particularly accurate. They could, however, be effective when used in large numbers. Even in small numbers, they could have a shocking effect on troops that weren't accustomed to them, as was seen at the Battle of the Crapper. They were also used effectively against Heinrich Holk at the Stone Bridge in Prague, but that was because they could be fired at close range into tightly packed troops in a confined space, so their momentum and exhaust also had an effect. Even then, they were mainly effective because they created chaos in Holk's front ranks and unnerved the troops in the rear.
Rockets mounted on airplanes and on Grantville's few high-power speedboats were used at the Battle of Wismar. However, they were only effective because Hans Richter and Eddie Cantrell were willing to get close enough to be vulnerable to enemy fire, and because 17th century ships were highly vulnerable to fire. Also, Eddie was able to take an angle that let most of his rockets hit something, even though some missed his main target.
The Ottoman Empire used rocket barrages when attacking Baghdad and Yerevan. Rockets were also used in the Russian civil war to deal with infantry and steamboats.
Rockets were also used for signaling and for launching flares.
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