Drag Torque
In the context of aerospace engineering, Drag Torque refers to the rotational force experienced by a spacecraft due to the resistance or drag exerted by the surrounding medium, typically the Earth's atmosphere. This force can affect the spacecraft's attitude control, which is the orientation of the spacecraft in relation to its direction of motion. Drag Torque is particularly significant during the re-entry phase of a spacecraft's mission, when the spacecraft is moving at high speeds through the Earth's atmosphere. The drag force acting on different parts of the spacecraft can cause it to rotate, creating a torque. This torque must be counteracted by the spacecraft's attitude control system to maintain the correct orientation for re-entry. If not properly managed, excessive drag torque can lead to loss of control and potential mission failure. Therefore, understanding and managing drag torque is a critical aspect of spacecraft design and operation.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Transducers: In space and astronautical engineering, transducers are devices that convert one form of energy into another. They are used to measure physical quantities such as temperature, pressure, acceleration, and strain, and convert them into electr ... Read More >>
- Sterilization Techniques: Sterilization techniques refer to the methods used to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, from a surface, a liquid, or a gas. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, steriliz ... Read More >>
- Natural Satellites: Natural satellites are celestial bodies that orbit around a planet or a dwarf planet. They are also known as moons. Natural satellites can be classified into two categories: regular and irregular. Regular satellites have nearly circular orb ... 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