how is it possible that a rocket can work in space?

[bwheezy55]

if it has nothing to push against then how can a rocket work in space.

 

[Jerry W]

newtons 3rd law the exhaust push the rocket forward

 

[El fagguito]

Do you even know how rockets work? Rockets carry their own "mass to push against" so to speak. Google it.

 

[lindajune]

Rockets don't push against anything (don't they teach basic physics in school anymore?)

Rockets operate on Newton's Third Law - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Mass is expelled out the back of the rocket (the exhaust) which causes the rocket to move in the opposite direction.

Just think about it - if rockets only worked by pushing on something, then how could there be any rockets in space at all for these 50 years?