How much does weight affect re-entry into the atmosphere?

  • Thread starter Thread starter stacks
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atmosphere Weight
AI Thread Summary
Weight significantly impacts re-entry into the atmosphere, as a more massive vehicle has greater inertia that must be managed for a safe landing. Heavier vehicles require longer atmospheric interaction to decelerate, influencing the trajectory calculations for re-entry. The angle of re-entry is crucial and is adjusted based on the vehicle's weight to ensure effective slowing down. Additionally, the design of ancillary gear, such as braking parachutes, must account for the vehicle's mass. Overall, weight considerations are essential for both recovery missions and minimizing risks from re-entering satellites.
stacks
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Sorry if this is a dumb question. How much of an impact does weight have on reentry? I know it's extremely important on lift off due to fuel costs but is it any different on reentry? Are there certain trajectories calculated for different weights?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
A more massive vehicle has greater inertia which it must dispose of to reach the ground safely.
It will take longer for the atmosphere to slow it down.
I guess this is factor which is taken account when determining the best angle for re-entry, and it would also be a consideration when designing ancilliary gear need for re-entry, such as the braking parachutes.
(This is assuming that the plan is to recover the vehicle and it's contents, in other cases the plan would be to ensure that a re-entering satellite does mostly burn up and poses a minpmum risk of large parts arriving on the ground.
 
Last edited:

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Thread 'Could fast radio bursts be alien radar signals?'

Both have short pulses of emission and a wide spectral bandwidth, covering a wide variety of frequencies: "Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are detected over a wide range of radio frequencies, including frequencies around 1400 MHz, but have also been detected at lower frequencies, particularly in the 400–800 MHz range. Russian astronomers recently detected a powerful burst at 111 MHz, expanding our understanding of the FRB range. Frequency Ranges: 1400 MHz: Many of the known FRBs have been detected...
View full post »

Similar threads

B How Does Inclined Load Affect Weight Distribution When Moving a Cabinet?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Optimizing Atmospheric Entry Speed in Space Games
Replies
9
Views
2K
How does the solar wind affect Earth's atmosphere?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Conjuction of planets to Earth, it affects our weight?
Replies
10
Views
4K
How does burn time affect the parameters in the rocket equation?
Replies
2
Views
676
Magnetic force applied over long distances in fantasy book
Replies
6
Views
2K
How does relativity affect the detection of atmospheric muons?
Replies
11
Views
2K
Relationship between material mass and weight
Replies
5
Views
2K
Does a Planet's Atmosphere Affect an Astronaut's Weight?
Replies
3
Views
2K
How Much Energy Does a Dieter Use by Lifting Weights?
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top