Air Resistance
Air resistance is the force that opposes the motion of an object through the atmosphere. In space and astronautical engineering, air resistance is a significant factor to consider when designing spacecraft and their trajectories. During launch, spacecraft must overcome air resistance to reach orbit. During re-entry, air resistance causes heat buildup and can damage the spacecraft. Engineers must design spacecraft with materials that can withstand the high temperatures generated by air resistance. Additionally, air resistance affects the trajectory of spacecraft, and engineers must take this into account when planning missions. For example, spacecraft may need to be designed with a specific shape or angle to minimize air resistance and maintain a stable trajectory.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Stirling Cycle: Stirling Cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that operates on a closed regenerative gas system. It is a heat engine that uses a fixed mass of gas that is cyclically heated and cooled by two heat reservoirs. The Stirling Cycle consists of four pr ... Read More >>
- Procurement: Procurement in space and astronautical engineering refers to the process of acquiring goods, services, or works from an external source. This includes the identification of needs, selection of suppliers, negotiation of contracts, and the ma ... Read More >>
- Immunity: In space and astronautical engineering, immunity refers to the ability of a spacecraft or its components to resist and tolerate the harsh space environment, including radiation, extreme temperatures, vacuum, and micrometeoroids. Immunity is ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06