04. How does it feel when the Shuttle comes back through the atmosphere? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

Jump to: navigation, search

The first half of the re-entry, approximately one-half hour, is almost a non-event. There is no atmospheric sound, there is no onset of gforces and there is little visual indication that we are descending. When we encounter the atmosphere, approximately 400,000 feet above the Earth, there is an increase of sound caused by the air rushing by the orbiter, a feeling of heaviness caused by the onset of gforces, an awareness that we are descending, and, if the re-entry is during the night, the appearance of an orange glow in the front windows. This is an exciting time for the crew because, in many cases, members of the crew have never experienced these feelings and sights before. Training in preparation for the mission is excellent, but it does not replicate accurately the ascent, orbit and re-entry sensations.

Answer provided by Col. USAF (Ret.) Frederick D. Gregory


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


Buy This Book Click here

Retrieved from "http://www.thespacelibrary.com/mediawiki/index.php/04._How_does_it_feel_when_the_Shuttle_comes_back_through_the_atmosphere%3F_%28A_K2S_Question%29"