Ballistic missile

A ballistic missile is a type of missile that is powered only when it is launched. The power from its upward launch gives all of the necessary energy to hit its target. Most of the missile's flight is not powered.

Short-range ballistic missiles stay in Earth's atmosphere. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are launched into space but fall back to Earth. Neither of them needs the engine to be always on since in space and high in the atmosphere, there is almost no wind resistance.
alt=The Trident II ballistic missile as it is launched from a submarine in the ocean.|thumb|The Trident II is a ballistic missile.
Ballistic missiles are different from cruise missiles, which have powered flight, move only in the atmosphere, and move aerodynamically. A cruise missile is like an airplane with a bomb that flies low through the sky, and a ballistic missile is like a dart with a bomb that is thrown high into the sky to hit a faraway target.

 References 

 Needham, Joseph (1986). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 5, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 7, Military Technology; the Gunpowder Epic. Taipei: Caves Books.

 Further reading 





 Other websites 

 Missile Threat: A Project of the Center for Strategic and International Studies

Category:Missiles
Category:Wernher von Braun