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And what happens to the ablated material? One large stage that is easily tracked via radar is preferable to tens or hundreds of milimetre size chunks that could
by dotancohen 1y ago
And what happens to the ablated material? One large stage that is easily tracked via radar is preferable to tens or hundreds of milimetre size chunks that could potentially flake off while ablating the surface of a rocket stage or derelict satellite.
- mr_toad 1y agoAblation turns the material into individual molecules.
- dotancohen 1y agoYes, when done perfectly in a lab. Under less than ideal conditions, temperature gradients cause cracks and then flakes are released and expelled.
- RandomBacon 1y agoDrag brings those flakes to the ground.
- dotancohen 1y agoFlakes of solid material are typically far more than dense than structures made of the same material. Therefore flakes' orbital lifetimes are likely longer than structures made of the same materials.