3 ms·
>highest speeds only at altitudes where the atmosphere is more individual particles than a continuous gas (it's apogee of 62 miles [...] ) Isn't velocity lowes
by sbierwagen 5y ago
>highest speeds only at altitudes where the atmosphere is more individual particles than a continuous gas (it's apogee of 62 miles [...] )
Isn't velocity lowest at apogee?
- SonicScrub 5y agoI misspoke a bit here. For an orbital vehicle, yes absolutely. Since this vehicle has a relatively shallow suborbital trajectory, I assumed the vehicle has a 1st burn to reach an apogee of ~100km. Upon reaching apogee it orientates itself towards it's earth-bound target, and then executes a second burn. Thus accelerating under thrust towards it's target. Ergo it's maximum speed would occur somewhere between it's apogee and when it re-enters the atmosphere. At least that was my interpretation of the text in the article.
- hoseja 5y agoIf you assume the Earth is a point mass, then this is relevant. Otherwise, not really.