Ask an Explainer
Q:
Are the four forces balanced when a rocket is in re-entry?
A:
No, the four forces of flight are not balanced during a spacecraft’s re-entry. Whenever an object is accelerating or decelerating the forces acting upon it are not balanced. In the case of a spacecraft that is re-entering the atmosphere, it is decelerating.
Posted on February 23, 2015 at 8:52 pm
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