[amsat-bb] Re: New Cubesat - the Ultimate Fox Hunt

[Sil - ZL2CIA]

Bob Bruninga wrote:

> The difference is that going up, you are going slowly in the higher density atmosphere which is continually lessening as you go up letting you go faster and faster with less and less friction.  THus, no multiplying build up of friction.
>
>   
Bob,

I hesitate to say this, but I'm almost certain that re-entry heating is 
not caused by friction (well may be 10%). Most reliable sources, NASA 
included, attribute re-entry heating to shock wave compression of the 
air in front of the descending craft.

Sil
ZL2CIA