3 ms·

Wow - almost identical video with actual ICBM to compare. Thanks!! Also: why is it still bright? Don't understand why it would still be firing at that point.

• mlindner 8y ago
  The part where it's leaving a trail is material ablating (vaporizing) off the outside of the re-entry vehicle. It's still bright after that because it's still traveling at mach 5-6 or so (very dense pointed entry vehicle that doesn't lose speed), so it maintains a superheated state where the surface is glowing white hot.