Stopping a 300 Km/h Object: Is Airbraking Possible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using airbrakes to stop an object traveling at 300 Km/h within 1.5 seconds. Participants explore the mechanics of airbraking, its effectiveness at high speeds, and alternative methods for rapid deceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that airbrakes are the only way to stop a floating object accelerated to 300 Km/h.
  • Another participant suggests that the concept described may align more with thrusters than traditional airbrakes.
  • A participant notes that while airbrakes are effective for gliders at high speeds, their effectiveness diminishes as speed decreases, making complete stops unlikely.
  • One participant asserts that it is impossible to achieve a complete stop using airbrakes alone, referencing aerodynamic drag formulas to support this claim.
  • A later reply reiterates the impossibility of stopping within the specified time using only airbrakes, suggesting that retro-rockets might be a viable alternative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the effectiveness of airbrakes for stopping an object at high speed, with some suggesting alternatives like retro-rockets. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the feasibility of achieving a complete stop within the given time frame.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the diminishing effectiveness of airbrakes at lower speeds and the significant deceleration required to stop within 1.5 seconds, indicating potential limitations in their arguments.

Ronhrin
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let's assume that it's possible to maintain a object floating in the air, when we acelerate with the object there's basically only one way to stop it, airbrakes.

let's assume that same object is traveling at a speed of 300 Km/h, is it possible to build a airbrake system able to fully stop the object in less than 1.5 seconds?
 
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Hmmmmm. That would be a new definition of airbrakes to me. Airbrakes are typically used on trucks. What you are describing would be thrusters if I am understanding your post correctly.
 
Gliders (and other aircraft) use airbrakes.
Quite effective at high speeds, but they loose effectiveness as the speed decreases.
So bringing something to a complete stop seems unlikely.

For your purposes a parachute might be considered an airbrake.
 
No, you won't bring it to a complete stop using air brakes. Look up the formula for aerodynamic drag, and you'll see why.
 
Ronhrin said:
let's assume that it's possible to maintain a object floating in the air, when we acelerate with the object there's basically only one way to stop it, airbrakes.

let's assume that same object is traveling at a speed of 300 Km/h, is it possible to build a airbrake system able to fully stop the object in less than 1.5 seconds?

There's no way you'll be able to get an object to stop that fast (5.66g continuous for 1.5 seconds) using just an airbrake, for the reasons stated above (most importatly the loss of decelerating force with speed.) Maybe retro-rockets?
 

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