Ballistic Descent

Ballistic Descent

 

the descent in the atmosphere of a flying spacecraft that possesses a zero lift-drag ratio. The trajectory of the ballistic descent is calculated beforehand for the given characteristics of a flying spacecraft and the parameters of the atmosphere that are known with definite accuracy; based on this trajectory, a choice is made of the place and angle of entry into the atmosphere for the flying spacecraft that ensures its landing in the prescribed area of the planet’s surface.

Mentioned in ?
References in periodicals archive ?
A computer software error probably sent a Russian spacecraft into a rare ballistic descent that subjected the three men on board to chest-crushing gravity loads that made it hard to breathe, space experts said yesterday.
Space emergency 'software error'

Encyclopedia browser ?
Full browser ?