StarTalk Radio
Things You Thought You Knew – The Geometric Universe
Apr 9, 2024
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice discuss spheres in the universe, navigating the sky, and spacecraft reentry. Topics include round shapes in the natural world, celestial navigation, and the challenges of de-orbiting a massive space station.
53:56
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Quick takeaways
- Aerobraking allows spacecraft to gently land by dissipating energy in Earth's atmosphere.
- Controlled deorbiting of spacecraft ensures safe reentry into Earth's atmosphere.
Deep dives
Aerobraking in Space Reentry
When returning from space, spacecrafts dissipate energy using the Earth's atmosphere as brakes, allowing for gentle landings without the need for additional fuel. Working as a natural mechanism, aerobraking slows down the spacecraft incrementally by letting air molecules hit it, ensuring a controlled descent for a safe return.
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