VERTICAL RE-ENTRY OF VERY LIGHT-WEIGHT BODIES INTO THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE.

Abstract

The vertical re-entry of very light-weight bodies into the earth's atmosphere is studied. Rough approximations, an analytical method, and numerical integration are used to determine the velocity. It is found that below about 200,000 feet altitude the velocity is proportional to the sq. root of W/C(sub D)A when W/C(sub D)A is of the order of .10. The maximum deceleration increases linearly with increasing release altitude and it occurs at altitudes around 250,000 feet. Appreciable decelerations occur even for release altitudes of the order of 1,000,000 feet. It is found that the temperature of the thin external surfaces of light-weight bodies increases rapidly when the release altitude is increased. Extra material may be required locally in the detailed design, in order to reduce the surface temperature. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0664027

Entities

People

  • R. D. Linnell

Organizations

  • General Dynamics

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Atmospheres
  • Deceleration
  • Materials
  • Motion
  • Numerical Integration
  • Physical Properties
  • Surface Temperature

Readers

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