Astronomy
Braking against an atmosphere
Lower a spacecraft’s periapsis into a thin atmosphere. Compare drag energy loss and peak heating along an idealized grazing pass.
The model and its limits
Prescribed hyperbolic-height pass through an exponential Mars atmosphere, integrating drag work along the unperturbed path. Valid for small losses; not a coupled entry trajectory or flight design tool.
Equations used in the module
Equations ρ = ρ₀ exp(-h/H); a_D = ρv²/(2β); Δv ≈ ∫a_D dt
