What critical flight physics concept defines the altitude of the Kármán line?
Answer
Where the speed required for lift equals the speed required for orbit
The selection of the Kármán line altitude hinges on a key concept derived from the physics of flight performance. It marks the precise point where the theoretical speed an aircraft must attain to generate sufficient lift to counteract its weight using wings (aerodynamic flight) becomes exactly equal to the speed needed to maintain a stable orbit around the Earth (spaceflight). Below this altitude, lift generation is dominant; above it, orbital mechanics dominate. This convergence represents the functional boundary where sustained, controlled, winged flight becomes impossible due to the diminishing air density.
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