I just saw a link to an article about the Japanese designing wooden satellites so they burn up on reentry and reduce space junk, and it made me wonder how they get out of the earth’s atmosphere without being destroyed.
In: Physics
Satellites do not leave atmosphere on their own. They are carried into space by a huge rocket. These rockets have immense engines to be able to shoot out in space. When the satellite is detached from the rocket it’s already in space with zero gravity and with just small pushes it can navigate long distances.
When returning to earth they enter the atmosphere at astronomical speeds. The friction with air at those speeds generates intense heat and very high temperatures. The satellite needs to be shielded and protected to resists those tens.
Latest Answers