The Mechanical
Engineering Handbook




Terminal Velocity During Re-Entry Calculator
















How This Is Calculated



vT=2gβsinγρ where:

vT   =   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.


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