In movies at least, astronauts in desperate times have mentioned that unless they get to a certain angle or re-entry window, they would bounce off the atmosphere into space. What’s the science behind that? What conditions have to be perfect for re-entry and why?
In: Physics
Pretty much the same as when skipping a stone on water. If it moves too fast and at a shallow angle, it’ll bounce.
It’s a balance. Go in at a too shallow angle and you bounce, go at a too steep angle, and you’ll burn, or you’ll use more fuel to burn off speed. You want to go at a speed/angle where you ALMOST, but not quite, burn, there you’ll get the most effective reentry.
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