Rocket Launch ?? Conservation of momentum?

Bruce Calise: Just before ignition, the rocket has zero momentum. As the fuel starts burning, the velocity of the rocket and fuel increases and so does its momentum.But the Law of Conservation of Momentum says that the total momentum must stay the same. The exhaust gases have mass and velocity, but in the opposite direction, so they also have momentum in the opposite direction. This is negative momentum.The negative momentum of the rocket is exactly the same (though negative) as the positive momentum of the rocket, so the total momentum is always zero....Show more