Terminal Velocity During Re-Entry Calculator

Property to Calculate:

Acceleration due to gravity (g):

Ballistic coefficient (β):

Flight path angle (γ):

Atmospheric density (ρ):

How This Is Calculated

$$ v_T = \sqrt{ - \frac{2 g \beta sin\gamma}{\rho} } $$ where:

v_T = Terminal Velocity (m/s)

g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s)

β = Ballistic coefficient (kg/m²)

γ = Flight path angle (rad)

ρ = Atmospheric density (kg/m³)

Assumptions

The system has reached a steady state.
Heating effects are negligible.
Flight path angle is sufficiently small.
Atmospheric density is homogeneous.

Related Calculators

Plasma Frequency

Ballistic Coefficient

Ballistic Velocity

Density in Exponential Atmosphere

Maximum Decceleration