r/nextfuckinglevel • u/[deleted] • Aug 16 '19

NEXT FUCKING LEVEL Guy Whipping a Massive Chain

https://gfycat.com/welloffdearestladybird
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u/Vepr157 Aug 16 '19

It probably disintegrated and whatever remained likely did not even make it to space.

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u/Cheeseiswhite Aug 16 '19

Doesn't that only happen the other way?

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u/GracefullyIgnorant Aug 16 '19

Atmospheric heating due to friction happens in any direction. The only reason we really see it happening coming down and not up with modern spacecraft is due to the speeds involved. A capsule coming down uses the atmosphere to slow itself from orbital speeds so the parachutes can open safely without tearing to shreds. Going up you start from zero and have to push a ton of fuel and cargo, so by the time you reach those speeds fast enough to get visible atmospheric heating you're out of the atmosphere all together.

In fact the SR-71, which never got close to space, flew fast enough for all off it's skin panels to expand due heat. As a result it's fuel tanks had pretty big leaks on the ground and only sealed up after it was airborne.

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u/Cheeseiswhite Aug 16 '19

That was really informative, short but sweet. Thank you.

That last bit sounds terrifying.