Physicists simulate what happens when a paper airplane is thrown from the ISS
By
Tibi Puiu
Summary
Physicists Maximilien Berthet and Kojiro Suzuki from the University of Tokyo conducted a simulation study exploring what would happen if a paper airplane were thrown from the International Space Station. Their research models the trajectory of a standard A4 paper plane re-entering Earth's atmosphere from orbit, examining its flight dynamics, heating, and potential survival. The study combines playful curiosity with serious aerodynamics research, potentially offering insights for re-entry vehicle design and atmospheric physics.
Source
bskyPhysicists simulate what happens when a paper airplane is thrown from the ISSzmescience.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledIt's just the sort of idea that might emerge from a curious child — or, as it turns out, a physicist with a flair for wonder.
Turns out, this curious experiment might actually be useful.
The experiment has not actually happened in orbit. The new study is a simulation.
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