Things You Thought You Knew – The Geometric Universe
StarTalk Radio
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Navigating the Physics of Reentry
Exploring the intricate process of reentering Earth's atmosphere for spacecraft, emphasizing the crucial role of the Earth's atmosphere as brakes for a safe descent. The chapter delves into concepts like orbital velocity, energy dissipation, and heat shields, highlighting the engineering considerations for a successful reentry. Additionally, it discusses the importance of controlled de-orbiting to prevent space debris and mentions a case of intentionally sending a space probe to burn up in Saturn's atmosphere.
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