> rockets need something to push against, they have to carry it with them. (Emphasis added) The rocket exhaust is "pushing against" the rocket itself, propell

> rockets need something to push against, they have to carry it with them. (Emphasis added) The rocket exhaust is "pushing against" the rocket itself, propelling it forward. Rocket exhaust goes <- which creates the equal and opposite force -> which pushes against the mass of the rocket sending it on its way.