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Atmospheric Drag




In Astrodynamics depending on the situation atmospheric drag can be regarded as inefficiency requiring expense of additional energy during Launch of the space object or as a bonus simplifying return from orbit.



CALCULATION

Atmospheric drag can be calculated as follows:

:{d\mathbf{v}\over{dt}} = -{c_dA ho{v^2}\over{2m}}


where: c_d is the body's Coefficient Of Drag (that has to be determined experimentally), A is the body's cross-sectional area (in m2), ho is the air density(in kg/m3), m is the body's mass in kg, and v is the body's velocity (in meters per second).


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