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Things You Thought You Knew – The Geometric Universe

StarTalk Radio

CHAPTER

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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