Two-stage destruction of a meteoroid with a final burst

Abstract

The entry of a space body with a super orbital velocity into the Earth’s atmosphere is considered. Large aerodynamic loads, the forces of inertia, and the thermal flows to the body lead to the surface mass loss and to a possible mechanical failure. From observations it is known that the flight of a space body often ends with a powerful final burst. One of the adequate approaches to the estimation of energy release at the final stage of the body’s destruction is proposed to confirm the possibility of observing the effect of “thermal explosion” of a meteoroid.