Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: tommya300 on 09/06/2010 19:35:29

Title: Can a snowflake erode the conical portion of a projectile?
Post by: tommya300 on 09/06/2010 19:35:29

Can a snowflake erode the conical portion of a projectile?

Will it erode a orb shape projectile?

Title: Can a snowflake erode the conical portion of a projectile?
Post by: RD on 05/04/2011 04:24:49

Quote from: tommya300 on 09/06/2010 19:35:29

Can a snowflake erode the conical portion of a projectile?

Air molecules can, if the projectile is travelling fast enough ...

Quote

The first work on the technology of reentry was done in the early stages of the cold war. Intercontinental missile warheads would evaporate during reentry unless a protective technique could be found. Work that began at Douglas Aircraft Company's Project RAND in 1952 suggested that ablation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ablation#Spaceflight) cooling would be the best technique.

http://www.space.com/2946-boeing-thermal-protection-system-orion-spacecraft.html

air + snowflakes would do more damage than air alone.