Aerothermal Heating for Satellite Reentry Conditions

Abstract : Equations are presented which provide heating rates for objects reentering the Earth's atmosphere. The relationships are appropriate for estimating the survival or aerothermal breakup of a reentering vehicle. The relationships presented in this report predict heating which is an order of magnitude less than predicted by existing theory. The results presented in this report are based on numerous satellite reentry experiments conducted over the last three decades.