Mechanical Forces


Mechanical forces refer to the physical forces that act on a spacecraft or a satellite during its launch, orbit, and re-entry phases. These forces include the gravitational force, the aerodynamic force, the centripetal force, and the thrust force. The gravitational force is the force that attracts the spacecraft towards the center of the Earth, while the aerodynamic force is the force that opposes the motion of the spacecraft through the atmosphere. The centripetal force is the force that keeps the spacecraft in its orbit around the Earth, and the thrust force is the force that propels the spacecraft forward. Mechanical forces can have a significant impact on the design, operation, and safety of spacecraft and satellites, and engineers must carefully consider these forces when designing and testing space vehicles.


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