iÂ·deÂ·a. n. 1. Something, such as a thought or conception, that is the product of mental activity. 2. An opinion, conviction, or principle: has some strange political ideas. 3. A plan, purpose, or goal: She started school with the idea of becoming a doctor. 4.
The direction of the thrust is normally along the longitudinal axis of the rocket through the rocket center of gravity. But on some rockets, the exhaust nozzle and the thrust direction can be rotated, or gimbaled. The rocket can then be maneuvered by using the torque about the center of gravity. The magnitude of the thrust can be determined by the general thrust equation.
Four Forces Affect Things That Fly: 1  Weight is the force of gravity. 2  Lift is the force that acts at a right angle to the direction of motion through the air. 3  Thrust is the force that propels a flying machine in the direction of motion.  Drag is the force that acts opposite to the direction of motion.