Physicists! What orbital speed would allow a slow and safe reentry?

Question

1. An object needs to travel 17,000mph to reach escape velocity and orbit the Earth.

2. The further the orbit from the Earth, the lower the velocity needed to maintain that orbit.

3. Assuming I'm traveling in a small spacecraft that has minimal heat shielding, and that I can slow down once I'm in orbit, my question is thus:

At what distance would I need to orbit the Earth to enable a slow enough velocity, to allow me to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere without the speed that would cause me to burn up in the atmosphere?

In other words, I want to be able to slow down and enjoy the view, yet reenter the atmosphere safely. What is that distance and speed, please? I'm packing my bags now!

Answer 1

There is no safe distance at which you can orbit the earth to provide a safe reentry. You were right about a spacecraft moving slower when it is farther away from the earth in orbit, the problem is that when you near the earth for reentry you will speed back up. So orbiting from a greater distance will not improve your chances of survival in a craft with poor heat shielding.

Answer 2

That's not how it works. If you tried to just lower your slow high altitude orbit, you would increase your kinetic energy. It's a natural tradeoff that cannot be gotten around. You would have to use a LOT of fuel to slow down enough to avoid the need for heat shielding. The concept was developed in order to use less fuel in the first place.

Answer 3

unfortunately, there is NO safe entry into the Earth's atmosphere. the craft will always burn up unless it is heat shielded or decelerated ( not practical due to the immense energy requirement ).

recently, a new principle was developed by the creators of SpaceShip One ( winner of the x-prize ) involving "feathering" or having the craft fall into the atmosphere from space like a feather floats to the ground. the craft has a large aerodynamic wing that behaves like a feather so the ship comes down slowly but in random up and down and sideways motions.

sounds interesting but i doubt you will be able to enjoy the view !

hope your question was answered.

P.S. look up x-prize or spaceship one for more details ! its a real concept !

Answer 4

I referred to this on television the different day. the concept grow to be that gentle travels at diverse speeds in accordance to the position it is on the problem of the solar, i imagine that is what they suggested. it is a sparkling concept and it grow to be on between the academic channels, sci channel i imagine. i imagine it grow to be easily about time now that it sinks in a touch. They degree time yet gentle %, you need to be in a position to discover it on the internet or internet website. take care.