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Space vehicles re-enter Earth's atmosphere at very high speeds, around 28,000 kph in the case of the shuttle. The friction generated by atmospheric particles striking the vehicle's hull slows the vehicle. During the process of re-entry (slowing), most of the vehicle's energy of motion is transformed into heat energy that is absorbed by the atmospheric particles and the hull of the vehicle (aerodynamic heating). Both are heated to glowing, which is what causes the orange fire-effect that you see.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoConsider a space vehicle orbiting earth and you are looking at an object moving at something on the order of 4 1/2 miles per second. At about 16,000 miles per hour, even a thin barrier of gas (the upper atmosphere) will cause a lot of friction on the skin of the vehicle in question. If this vehicle is on a reentry trajectory, its kinetic energy will be converted to heat as it slows down. Even in thin air, a great deal of heating will occur as an orbiting craft slips into the upper atmosphere.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe heat is cause by friction of the meteorite against the molecules of the atmosphere. This is also why most meteorites burn up before they reach the ground.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThey are moving very fast and hitting the molecules very hard.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoBecause of friction with the atmosphere.
A returning spacecraft is moving very fast and impact with air molecules causes the heating.
Lucas Silva
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What are space objects that burn as they enter Earth's atmosphere called?
Its called friction. When the rock enters the atmosphere it can be travelling at thousands of miles and hour. In space there is nothing to slow it down, when it comes to the Earths atmosphere there is resistance as the air tries to slow it down, this creates heat and the tempretures can reach thousands of degrees, rock melts at about 1200ºC.
How hot is the mesosphere?
Because it near the Outer Core which is HOT and liquidy and there's a Atmosphere that is also warm. KEY TO ATMOSPHERE (The Atmosphere is not really HOT just warm)
Where in the atmosphere do hot air balloons float?
Hot air balloons float because hot air displaces cool air in the atmosphere
How big is Mars atmosphere?
Venus has a low atmosphere and it is rally hot
What colour is a meteor?
Comets can be many colors but are usually cold colors
What do meteors become when they enter the Earths atmosphere?
Hot
What are space objects that burn as they enter Earth's atmosphere called?
Its called friction. When the rock enters the atmosphere it can be travelling at thousands of miles and hour. In space there is nothing to slow it down, when it comes to the Earths atmosphere there is resistance as the air tries to slow it down, this creates heat and the tempretures can reach thousands of degrees, rock melts at about 1200ºC.
Where would you most likely find a meteor?
Meteors are pieces of rock glowing hot in the atmosphere. Before they hit the air, they were meteoroids. When they his the ground they are meteorites. Meteors are only found in the atmosphere, moving at incredible speeds.
Why do liquids cool down when its hot?
the heat leaves the tea and enter the atmosphere as energy
Oxygen began to enter the atmosphere of the early Earth as a result of?
hot air .dude that is easy
When meteoroids enter the earths atmosphere they become hot and before they hit the earths surface?
Yes. Meteoroids are traveling AT LEAST 25,000 MPH, and sometimes far faster; some have been tracked at 125K MPH. They run into the atmosphere and at that speed, the air CANNOT get out of the way. The super-thin air is compressed to the density of water or thicker, which heats the meteoroid to incandescence, which means "glowing hot". Depending on the structure and composition of the meteoroid, sometimes they melt, sometimes they vaporize, and sometimes they explode. Sometimes, fragments of the meteoroid survives to hit the Earth's surface, when we call them "meteorites".
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 a rock called that crashes into earths atmosphere?
Avery hot piece of ston!e Avery hot piece of ston!eA rock that enters the Earth's atmosphere is called a meteor. If it reaches the ground, it is called a meteorite. We call them meteors.
How can you go to the sun?
You can't. The sun is so hot, you'll be vaporised before you even enter the atmosphere.
When a space capsule returns to earth after a mission it glows red hot as it enter atmosphere because of?
friction
Are meteoroids hot?
That depends. Meteoroids are pretty cold when they float around in space. When they enter our atmosphere, they get super hot and usually burn up in the thermospere.
What do asteroids meteorites and comets have in common?
They are all very hot.
