The performance of a rocket is primarily hindered by:

The performance of a rocket is primarily hindered by drag and gravity because these two forces work against the rocket's ability to ascend and maintain speed. Drag is the aerodynamic resistance that opposes the rocket's motion through the atmosphere, increasing with speed and surface area. As the rocket accelerates, this drag force becomes more significant, requiring additional thrust to overcome it.

Gravity, on the other hand, exerts a constant force pulling the rocket downward, which must be countered by the thrust generated by the rocket's engines. The combination of drag and gravity means that for a rocket to achieve effective performance and reach its intended altitude and velocity, it must generate sufficient thrust not only to overcome the weight of the rocket itself but also to combat the drag force experienced during flight. This fundamental understanding of aerodynamic forces is crucial for rocketry, especially during the design and launch phases, where engineers must strive to optimize the rocket's shape and weight for maximum performance.