Approximately what velocity was the Space Shuttle Columbia traveling when aerodynamic stresses overwhelmed its structure during breakup?
Answer
Mach 20
The catastrophic failure occurred during the re-entry phase when the vehicle was moving at extraordinary speeds relative to the surrounding atmosphere. The shuttle was calculated to be traveling at approximately Mach 20 when the accumulated aerodynamic heating and immense dynamic pressure exerted forces far exceeding the structural limits of the vehicle. This high velocity was the direct cause of the mechanical failure as the atmosphere began to crush and heat the compromised structure, leading to the vehicle's high-speed disintegration high in the atmosphere.
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