What role does a pressure sensor play in a rocket altimeter?

A pressure sensor is essential in a rocket altimeter because it determines altitude based on pressure differences. As a rocket ascends, the atmospheric pressure decreases. The pressure sensor detects these changes in pressure and, by referencing known atmospheric conditions, calculates the altitude. The fundamental principle is that the higher the rocket travels, the lower the atmospheric pressure it experiences, allowing the sensor to infer how high the rocket has ascended.

In contrast, the other options involve functions that are not applicable to an altimeter’s primary purpose. Calculating temperature changes relates to a different type of sensor altogether, while measuring push force pertains to forces acting on the rocket rather than its altitude. Tracking lateral motion does not relate to altitude at all, as it would focus on horizontal movements rather than vertical ascent or descent. Therefore, the ability of a pressure sensor to correlate pressure changes to altitude is what makes it a critical component of rocket altimetry.