What was the consequence if the Apollo 10 capsule had hit the atmosphere too steeply at 24,791 mph?
Answer
The resulting forces could have destroyed the capsule or burned it up entirely
Mission control required sub-second precision because hitting the atmosphere even slightly too steep at that extreme velocity carried the risk of catastrophic structural failure or incineration of the capsule.
Related Questions
Which mission holds the record for the fastest speed ever achieved by a human being?What was the peak velocity recorded for the Apollo 10 crew upon returning to Earth?What was the primary role of the Apollo 10 mission mentioned in the text?How many times faster than the speed of sound at sea level was the Apollo 10 crew traveling at their peak?What maneuver was essential for achieving the record-setting return speed of Apollo 10?Which astronaut was named as a member of the Apollo 10 crew?What specific event immediately preceded the moment Apollo 10 reached peak velocity?What was the consequence if the Apollo 10 capsule had hit the atmosphere too steeply at 24,791 mph?What modern, uncrewed mission achieved a slightly faster velocity during a lunar flyby re-entry?Why is the Apollo 10 record speed considered a consequence rather than the goal of the mission?