What is referred to as thrust in the context of rocketry?

In the context of rocketry, thrust refers to the force exerted by the rocket engines that propels the rocket upward and overcomes the force of gravity. This force is generated through the expulsion of exhaust gases at high speed from the rocket's engines, creating a reaction force that pushes the rocket in the opposite direction, in accordance with Newton's third law of motion. The amount of thrust needs to be sufficient to lift the rocket off the ground and allow it to ascend through the atmosphere.

Understanding thrust is critical for rocketry as it directly affects the rocket's ability to achieve lift-off and navigate through the different stages of its flight. It is not simply a measure of speed, distance, or engine size; rather, it quantifies the actual push or force required to launch and maintain the rocket's trajectory.