What flying insects could re-enter the Earth's atmosphere from space without burning up?












4












$begingroup$


Huge numbers of genetically modified flying insects (purpose not disclosed here) are to be dropped into the Earth's atmosphere from space so that they spread far and wide.



The insects are not in any kind of container whilst falling. Once dropped, they have to make their way to Earth individually without any protection or assistance.





Question



In terms of weight and size, what known flying Earth insects could survive re-entry from space without burning up?



For example midges can fly and so can large beetles (see below).



Please assume that the insects can survive a hard vacuum (partial vacuum see below).





Video of Hercules beetle - https://youtu.be/OyuAt-_Nj_o?t=2



It is known that ordinary houseflies can survive a vacuum and recover.



Video of housefly being subjected to a vacuum chamber and finally being released



https://youtu.be/tA9jcIwvge0?t=57













share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
    $endgroup$
    – Nex Terren
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
    $endgroup$
    – SlothsAndMe
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
    $endgroup$
    – Cadence
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @ Cadence - On their own.
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
    $endgroup$
    – pojo-guy
    4 hours ago
















4












$begingroup$


Huge numbers of genetically modified flying insects (purpose not disclosed here) are to be dropped into the Earth's atmosphere from space so that they spread far and wide.



The insects are not in any kind of container whilst falling. Once dropped, they have to make their way to Earth individually without any protection or assistance.





Question



In terms of weight and size, what known flying Earth insects could survive re-entry from space without burning up?



For example midges can fly and so can large beetles (see below).



Please assume that the insects can survive a hard vacuum (partial vacuum see below).





Video of Hercules beetle - https://youtu.be/OyuAt-_Nj_o?t=2



It is known that ordinary houseflies can survive a vacuum and recover.



Video of housefly being subjected to a vacuum chamber and finally being released



https://youtu.be/tA9jcIwvge0?t=57













share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
    $endgroup$
    – Nex Terren
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
    $endgroup$
    – SlothsAndMe
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
    $endgroup$
    – Cadence
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @ Cadence - On their own.
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
    $endgroup$
    – pojo-guy
    4 hours ago














4












4








4





$begingroup$


Huge numbers of genetically modified flying insects (purpose not disclosed here) are to be dropped into the Earth's atmosphere from space so that they spread far and wide.



The insects are not in any kind of container whilst falling. Once dropped, they have to make their way to Earth individually without any protection or assistance.





Question



In terms of weight and size, what known flying Earth insects could survive re-entry from space without burning up?



For example midges can fly and so can large beetles (see below).



Please assume that the insects can survive a hard vacuum (partial vacuum see below).





Video of Hercules beetle - https://youtu.be/OyuAt-_Nj_o?t=2



It is known that ordinary houseflies can survive a vacuum and recover.



Video of housefly being subjected to a vacuum chamber and finally being released



https://youtu.be/tA9jcIwvge0?t=57













share|improve this question











$endgroup$




Huge numbers of genetically modified flying insects (purpose not disclosed here) are to be dropped into the Earth's atmosphere from space so that they spread far and wide.



The insects are not in any kind of container whilst falling. Once dropped, they have to make their way to Earth individually without any protection or assistance.





Question



In terms of weight and size, what known flying Earth insects could survive re-entry from space without burning up?



For example midges can fly and so can large beetles (see below).



Please assume that the insects can survive a hard vacuum (partial vacuum see below).





Video of Hercules beetle - https://youtu.be/OyuAt-_Nj_o?t=2



It is known that ordinary houseflies can survive a vacuum and recover.



Video of housefly being subjected to a vacuum chamber and finally being released



https://youtu.be/tA9jcIwvge0?t=57










science-based reality-check atmosphere earth insects






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 4 hours ago







chasly from UK

















asked 4 hours ago









chasly from UKchasly from UK

17.7k776155




17.7k776155












  • $begingroup$
    Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
    $endgroup$
    – Nex Terren
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
    $endgroup$
    – SlothsAndMe
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
    $endgroup$
    – Cadence
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @ Cadence - On their own.
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
    $endgroup$
    – pojo-guy
    4 hours ago


















  • $begingroup$
    Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
    $endgroup$
    – Nex Terren
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
    $endgroup$
    – SlothsAndMe
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
    $endgroup$
    – Cadence
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @ Cadence - On their own.
    $endgroup$
    – chasly from UK
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
    $endgroup$
    – pojo-guy
    4 hours ago
















$begingroup$
Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
$endgroup$
– Nex Terren
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
$endgroup$
– Nex Terren
4 hours ago












$begingroup$
Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
$endgroup$
– SlothsAndMe
4 hours ago






$begingroup$
Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
$endgroup$
– SlothsAndMe
4 hours ago














$begingroup$
Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
$endgroup$
– Cadence
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
$endgroup$
– Cadence
4 hours ago












$begingroup$
@ Cadence - On their own.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
@ Cadence - On their own.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
4 hours ago




1




1




$begingroup$
Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
4 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















7












$begingroup$

If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.



If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.



The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.



The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.



If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.



If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.



There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Accurate, nice imagery. +1
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    2 hours ago



















0












$begingroup$

Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.



Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @Agrajag There is no point within the area where Earth's gravitational pull is dominant that an object can accelerate from stationary with respect to any point on Earth to anywhere near relativistic speeds before hitting heavy atmosphere. While the 10 m/s/s is a good estimate for long enough for it to be a problem for some distances, it is subject to the inverse square radius rule.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed Grimm
    11 mins ago











Your Answer





StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
});
});
}, "mathjax-editing");

StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "579"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});

function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});


}
});














draft saved

draft discarded


















StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f140527%2fwhat-flying-insects-could-re-enter-the-earths-atmosphere-from-space-without-bur%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown

























2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









7












$begingroup$

If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.



If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.



The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.



The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.



If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.



If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.



There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Accurate, nice imagery. +1
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    2 hours ago
















7












$begingroup$

If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.



If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.



The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.



The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.



If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.



If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.



There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Accurate, nice imagery. +1
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    2 hours ago














7












7








7





$begingroup$

If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.



If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.



The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.



The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.



If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.



If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.



There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$



If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.



If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.



The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.



The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.



If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.



If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.



There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 2 hours ago

























answered 3 hours ago









Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs

35.8k19102177




35.8k19102177












  • $begingroup$
    Accurate, nice imagery. +1
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    2 hours ago


















  • $begingroup$
    Accurate, nice imagery. +1
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    2 hours ago
















$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago




$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago











0












$begingroup$

Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.



Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @Agrajag There is no point within the area where Earth's gravitational pull is dominant that an object can accelerate from stationary with respect to any point on Earth to anywhere near relativistic speeds before hitting heavy atmosphere. While the 10 m/s/s is a good estimate for long enough for it to be a problem for some distances, it is subject to the inverse square radius rule.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed Grimm
    11 mins ago
















0












$begingroup$

Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.



Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @Agrajag There is no point within the area where Earth's gravitational pull is dominant that an object can accelerate from stationary with respect to any point on Earth to anywhere near relativistic speeds before hitting heavy atmosphere. While the 10 m/s/s is a good estimate for long enough for it to be a problem for some distances, it is subject to the inverse square radius rule.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed Grimm
    11 mins ago














0












0








0





$begingroup$

Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.



Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$



Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.



Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 3 hours ago









Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins

31916




31916








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @Agrajag There is no point within the area where Earth's gravitational pull is dominant that an object can accelerate from stationary with respect to any point on Earth to anywhere near relativistic speeds before hitting heavy atmosphere. While the 10 m/s/s is a good estimate for long enough for it to be a problem for some distances, it is subject to the inverse square radius rule.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed Grimm
    11 mins ago














  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    3 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @Agrajag There is no point within the area where Earth's gravitational pull is dominant that an object can accelerate from stationary with respect to any point on Earth to anywhere near relativistic speeds before hitting heavy atmosphere. While the 10 m/s/s is a good estimate for long enough for it to be a problem for some distances, it is subject to the inverse square radius rule.
    $endgroup$
    – Ed Grimm
    11 mins ago








3




3




$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
3 hours ago






$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
3 hours ago














$begingroup$
@Agrajag There is no point within the area where Earth's gravitational pull is dominant that an object can accelerate from stationary with respect to any point on Earth to anywhere near relativistic speeds before hitting heavy atmosphere. While the 10 m/s/s is a good estimate for long enough for it to be a problem for some distances, it is subject to the inverse square radius rule.
$endgroup$
– Ed Grimm
11 mins ago




$begingroup$
@Agrajag There is no point within the area where Earth's gravitational pull is dominant that an object can accelerate from stationary with respect to any point on Earth to anywhere near relativistic speeds before hitting heavy atmosphere. While the 10 m/s/s is a good estimate for long enough for it to be a problem for some distances, it is subject to the inverse square radius rule.
$endgroup$
– Ed Grimm
11 mins ago


















draft saved

draft discarded




















































Thanks for contributing an answer to Worldbuilding Stack Exchange!


  • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

But avoid



  • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

  • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




draft saved


draft discarded














StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f140527%2fwhat-flying-insects-could-re-enter-the-earths-atmosphere-from-space-without-bur%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown





















































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown

































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown







Popular posts from this blog

Liste der Baudenkmale in Friedland (Mecklenburg)

Single-Malt-Whisky

Czorneboh