Maybe I just don't understand.
 

If there is no gravity in outer space, why do all the spaceships and shuttles and pods all have such powerful engines?

Seems to me that a CO2 cartridge from a high velocity paintball gun would be enough to fire a 50 ton spaceship a few thousand light years ahead in just a few milliseconds.

Maybe I just don't understand.

Yep :1orglaugh

lol.. gravity aint the only thing to do with shit.. go to nasa's website and watch some videos in the kiddy area

First you gotta get OUT of Earth's atmosphere idiot....that's why they run the space shuttle and you're posting on gfy

I need to sleep now. I'll figure out the answer later..

yes maybe you just don't understand and please try not.

Noone said anything about earth... I am talking about outer space.

Noone said anything about a "launch" so now YOU are the idiot my friend :)

because there's nothing to push against.

If you fire off an engine, it exerts energy, pushing against the air and providing momentum.
In space, there's nothing to push off against... no molecules, no nothing. So when you shoot out air, fire, energy... it just shoots out into the vastness of space.

You need a LOT to push against a LITTLE to provide momentum.

Ya know... that actually sounds logical. I didn't think anyone would actually try to answer it.

KUDOS!

Just to get into space you have to be able to escape Earth's gravity. That requires a ship to go at least 17K MHP.