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We generally recover spacecraft from orbit by firing rockets to slow the vehicle down, then let gravity and air friction do the rest. The orbital velocity is reduced by the reverse thrust of the engines, and the orbit decays dramatically and rapidly. Contact with the atmosphere begins to slow the vehicle more, and it also heats the vehicle. If you are thinking "air brakes" here, you're on target. All the energy we put into the vehicle to get it into orbit must be removed, and most of it is removed by friction. Friction converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle to thermal energy (heat), and there is a lot of it! We all know about the tiles on the bottom of the Space Shuttle. Look at the details of a shuttle return leg and you'll lock the information in.
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How fast does a space shuttle reenter the earths atmosphere?
A space shuttle reenters the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of around 17,500 miles per hour. The high speed generates intense heat, which is why the shuttle needs heat shields to protect it during reentry. The spacecraft gradually slows down as it descends through the atmosphere.
In what layer of the atmosphere would a spacecraft be?
A spacecraft would be outside the atmosphere - that is, it would ideally be at such an altitude that there is no longer any significant atmosphere.
What is a deorbit burn that is done by space shuttles on reentry?
The firing of a spacecraft's engine against the direction of motion to cut the spacecraft's orbital speed. The speed reduction places the spacecraft in a lower orbit. If this lower orbit passes through Earth's atmosphere, the spacecraft reenters.
What happens when a space shuttle reenter the atmosphere?
It heats up a lot and becomes vey hot.
What speed must a space shuttle get to escape earth's orbit?
A spacecraft travelling at approximately 25,000 miles per hour can escape Earth's orbit. This speed is known as the escape velocity and allows the spacecraft to overcome the gravitational pull of the Earth.
Why spacecraft get hot while enter into the earths atmosphere?
A spacecraft has to work against the air friction when it enters our atmosphere. Thus it gets heated a
What is the difference between a plane and spacecraft?
An aircraft flies in the Earths atmosphere, whereas a spaceship flies above the atmosphere.
How fast does a space shuttle reenter the earths atmosphere?
A space shuttle reenters the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of around 17,500 miles per hour. The high speed generates intense heat, which is why the shuttle needs heat shields to protect it during reentry. The spacecraft gradually slows down as it descends through the atmosphere.
Why does a spacecraft does not burns when it move from earth to space but it burns while returning from there?
When a spacecraft goes into space its speed increases dramatically once it leave the earths atmosphere. When it is returning to earth, it hits the atmosphere at a faster rate than it was traveling when it left. The friction of the atmosphere against the craft, heats it up.
In what layer of the atmosphere would a spacecraft be?
A spacecraft would be outside the atmosphere - that is, it would ideally be at such an altitude that there is no longer any significant atmosphere.
Do satellite ever stop in space?
No, they do not stop until they reenter the earth's atmosphere.
How does a rocket reenter the earth atmosphere?
The Earth's atmosphere is just gas, just like an airplane can get through clouds, a rocket can get through the Earth's atmosphere.
What was first man to orbit the earths spacecraft?
Vostok I.
How do geologists think earths atmosphere formed?
how do geologists think earths atmosphere is formed
What makes space shuttles different from other spacecraft's?
What makes the space shuttles different than other space craft is that they are reusable. Most spacecraft are used one time, then disposed of. The Russian Soyuz and the American Apollo spacecraft are examples of this. Another difference is the way they return to Earth. After other spacecraft reenter Earth's atmosphere, they deploy parachutes and make water landings (US Apollo), or land in snow (Russian Soyuz). The space shuttle lands like an airplane.
What happens when a space shuttle reenter the atmosphere?
It heats up a lot and becomes vey hot.
Why is a shuttle look so much like an airplane?
It has to reenter the atmosphere and land like a plane.
