[meteorite-list] Joshua Tree not possible

From: Matson, Robert <ROBERT.D.MATSON_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:18:25 2004
Message-ID: <AF564D2B9D91D411B9FE00508BF1C86901B4E6E4_at_US-Torrance.mail.saic.com>

Ron wrote:

> At an altitude of 50 miles over the Pacific, the shuttle tiles
> have already heated up, and the shuttle is performing S-turns
> to slow down. I think you also have to factor in the tremendous
> speed the shuttle is traveling, which is Mach 25 over the
> Pacific, and being slowed down by the atmosphere.

Exactly why tiles can't end up in southern California (unless they
came off hours earlier while Columbia was still in orbit) -- too
much forward momentum. --Rob
Received on Wed 05 Feb 2003 07:11:26 PM PST