Acceleration
In the context of aerospace engineering, acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. In aerospace, acceleration is a critical concept as it directly impacts the performance and safety of aircraft and spacecraft. For instance, during takeoff, an aircraft must achieve a certain acceleration to overcome gravity and lift off the ground. Similarly, in space travel, a spacecraft must decelerate (negative acceleration) to safely re-enter the Earth's atmosphere without disintegrating due to excessive heat from air friction. Acceleration is also a key factor in maneuverability, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort in aerospace vehicles. It is typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s²) or in 'g's, where 1 g is the acceleration due to gravity at the Earth's surface.
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