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The high speed required to exit the earth's atmosphere is called the 'escape velocity' and it's necessary because of the earth's gravitational field and has nothing to do with the atmosphere, except that the enormous friction generated by the air molecules passing over the vehicles skin can cause severe heating problems.

On re-entry the same combination of gravitational pull and air friction causes the vehicle to gain speed and heat up to the point of incandescence, which is why the space shuttle has special tiles on its underside and comes in at a nose up angle to ensure that the tiles take the brunt of the heating.

Early space capsules used a heat shield to dissipate the heat by being burnt away at a controlled rate and also had to be positioned to put the heat shield to the front to protect the capsule behind.

However it isn't so much necessary as unavoidable to re-enter at speed. Ideally the space craft would be able to use retro rockets to slow its descent to a suitable velocity but it would also have to carry an enormous amount of fuel to do so which would make it impractically heavy on liftoff.

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What type of system is the Earth considered in terms of matter?

The Earth is considered a closed system in terms of matter, meaning that matter does not enter or leave the Earth on a significant scale. While small amounts of matter may enter or exit the Earth's atmosphere, the overall mass of the planet remains relatively constant.


What is the entrance to underground mines called?

The entrance to underground mines is called a portal or adit. It is the point of access for miners and equipment to enter and exit the mine.


What is an exit vent in a mine called?

An exit vent in a mine is typically referred to as a "escape or emergency exit." This is a designated point of egress for miners to evacuate the mine in case of emergencies or during regular shifts.


Where does air and water vapor cross the epidermis at?

Air and water vapor enter and exit through the stomata, tiny pores found on the surface of leaves, stems, and other plant organs. These openings are surrounded by specialized cells that can open and close to regulate gas exchange and water loss.


What are subtopics for global warming?

The natural heating and cooling of our earth, it is believed by a few that humans lifestyle causing more gases to be present in the atmosphere causing the suns rays, that normally bounce back into space, to be reflected back to the earth, ultimately heating the surface more than normal. extra info: lets say 100% of the suns IR rays (heat) hit the earths surface, 50% is absorbed and 50% reflects off... when the IR rays go back through the atmosphere to exit the planet, 50% of that 50% is reflected back to the earth again... the topic of global warming states that more gases in the atmosphere means that more than 50% of that 50% will be reflected back to the earth making it warmer eventually.

Related Questions

Is it faster to exit or enter the earth's atmosphere?

its faster to enter Earths atmosphere because our gravitational pull pulls anything in , and this is why rockets have to have a lot of power to go out of the atmosphere because the gravitational pull keeps us on its surface.


How can you maintain oxygen in the atmosphere?

Well to maintain the oxygen in the earth atmosphere you need to make sure that the level of global warming is decreasing and less fumes will be able to make up the ozone layer. With a thinner layer around the earth this means that oxygen will be able to enter and exit the earths surface, allowing oxygen to still stay in the atmosphere.


What inventions would you need to live on Venus?

a artificial atmosphere, a highly cooling and heating suit and a space ship able to enter and exit the original atmosphere.


If you enter the panama canal from the Caribbean sea on the Atlantic side which direction will you travel to exit to the Pacific Ocean?

East


Do immigrants enter and exit Israel?

Yes, immigrants enter and exit Israel.


How do you exit dos mode?

Enter the word Exit


What is opposite of enter?

Exit


What is the proper etiquette for exiting and entering an elevator?

Let the people inside the elevator box exit before you enter it. If you're about to enter or exit but another person is about to do the same, let him or her enter/exit first, then go right after.


What is the opposite of the word enter?

exit.


What is the opposite word for exit?

Enter


What is opposite word of enter?

Exit


What is a portal exit?

A portal is a hole. A portal exit is where you exit out of the hole. A portal entrance is where you enter into the hole.