What flying insects could re-enter the Earth's atmosphere from space without burning up?
$begingroup$
Huge numbers of genetically modified flying insects (purpose not disclosed here) are to be dropped into the Earth's atmosphere from space so that they spread far and wide.
The insects are not in any kind of container whilst falling. Once dropped, they have to make their way to Earth individually without any protection or assistance.
Question
In terms of weight and size, what known flying Earth insects could survive re-entry from space without burning up?
For example midges can fly and so can large beetles (see below).
Please assume that the insects can survive a hard vacuum (partial vacuum see below).
Video of Hercules beetle - https://youtu.be/OyuAt-_Nj_o?t=2
It is known that ordinary houseflies can survive a vacuum and recover.
Video of housefly being subjected to a vacuum chamber and finally being released
https://youtu.be/tA9jcIwvge0?t=57
science-based reality-check atmosphere earth insects
asked 4 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.7k776155
$endgroup$
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
Huge numbers of genetically modified flying insects (purpose not disclosed here) are to be dropped into the Earth's atmosphere from space so that they spread far and wide.
The insects are not in any kind of container whilst falling. Once dropped, they have to make their way to Earth individually without any protection or assistance.
Question
In terms of weight and size, what known flying Earth insects could survive re-entry from space without burning up?
For example midges can fly and so can large beetles (see below).
Please assume that the insects can survive a hard vacuum (partial vacuum see below).
Video of Hercules beetle - https://youtu.be/OyuAt-_Nj_o?t=2
It is known that ordinary houseflies can survive a vacuum and recover.
Video of housefly being subjected to a vacuum chamber and finally being released
https://youtu.be/tA9jcIwvge0?t=57
science-based reality-check atmosphere earth insects
asked 4 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.7k776155
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
$endgroup$
– Nex Terren
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
$endgroup$
– SlothsAndMe
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
$endgroup$
– Cadence
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@ Cadence - On their own.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
3 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
Huge numbers of genetically modified flying insects (purpose not disclosed here) are to be dropped into the Earth's atmosphere from space so that they spread far and wide.
The insects are not in any kind of container whilst falling. Once dropped, they have to make their way to Earth individually without any protection or assistance.
Question
In terms of weight and size, what known flying Earth insects could survive re-entry from space without burning up?
For example midges can fly and so can large beetles (see below).
Please assume that the insects can survive a hard vacuum (partial vacuum see below).
Video of Hercules beetle - https://youtu.be/OyuAt-_Nj_o?t=2
It is known that ordinary houseflies can survive a vacuum and recover.
Video of housefly being subjected to a vacuum chamber and finally being released
https://youtu.be/tA9jcIwvge0?t=57
science-based reality-check atmosphere earth insects
asked 4 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.7k776155
$endgroup$
Huge numbers of genetically modified flying insects (purpose not disclosed here) are to be dropped into the Earth's atmosphere from space so that they spread far and wide.
The insects are not in any kind of container whilst falling. Once dropped, they have to make their way to Earth individually without any protection or assistance.
Question
In terms of weight and size, what known flying Earth insects could survive re-entry from space without burning up?
For example midges can fly and so can large beetles (see below).
Please assume that the insects can survive a hard vacuum (partial vacuum see below).
Video of Hercules beetle - https://youtu.be/OyuAt-_Nj_o?t=2
It is known that ordinary houseflies can survive a vacuum and recover.
Video of housefly being subjected to a vacuum chamber and finally being released
https://youtu.be/tA9jcIwvge0?t=57
science-based reality-check atmosphere earth insects
science-based reality-check atmosphere earth insects
asked 4 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.7k776155
asked 4 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.7k776155
edited 4 hours ago
chasly from UK
asked 4 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.7k776155
asked 4 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.7k776155
asked 4 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.7k776155
17.7k776155
$begingroup$
Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
$endgroup$
– Nex Terren
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
$endgroup$
– SlothsAndMe
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
$endgroup$
– Cadence
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@ Cadence - On their own.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
3 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
$endgroup$
– Nex Terren
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
$endgroup$
– SlothsAndMe
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
$endgroup$
– Cadence
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@ Cadence - On their own.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
$endgroup$
– Nex Terren
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
$endgroup$
– Nex Terren
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
$endgroup$
– SlothsAndMe
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
$endgroup$
– SlothsAndMe
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
$endgroup$
– Cadence
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
$endgroup$
– Cadence
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@ Cadence - On their own.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@ Cadence - On their own.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
4 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
3 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.
If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.
The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.
The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.
If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.
If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.
There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.
answered 2 hours ago
Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs
35.8k19102177
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.
Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.
answered 3 hours ago
Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins
31916
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.
If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.
The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.
The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.
If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.
If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.
There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.
answered 2 hours ago
Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs
35.8k19102177
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.
If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.
The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.
The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.
If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.
If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.
There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.
answered 2 hours ago
Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs
35.8k19102177
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.
If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.
The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.
The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.
If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.
If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.
There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.
answered 2 hours ago
Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs
35.8k19102177
$endgroup$
If by ‘from space’ you mean dropped from above the Karman line: then any. Humans have skydived ‘from space’.
If, however, you mean any other definition of ‘from space’ then... Erm.. None really.
The issue here is one of velocity. If by ‘from space’ you mean ‘in-orbit’ or ‘after being captured by earth’ then your bugs will be hitting the atmosphere at speeds on the order of 10km/s.
The heat on re-entry is caused by compressive heating, not friction. Essentially all the air can’t get out of the way because the object re-entering is moving too fast, so it gets squished up and (because physics) heats up too.
If they don’t cause compressive heating and (briefly) turn into glowing bug-cinders then they’re still going to squish up all that air, and also squish up all of themselves.
If they don’t get burnt to a very well-done cricket-croquette or splattered on the windshield of Mother Earth then they still have to deal with the air around them rushing past at hypersonic speeds. Legs, wings, shell casings; anything that is a tiny crevice will get them sent into a high speed tumble and also torn apart.
There is no size of bug that can survive re-entry as it’s commonly understood. The speeds involved are just a bit more than biology was designed to handle.
answered 2 hours ago
Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs
35.8k19102177
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs
35.8k19102177
answered 2 hours ago
Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs
35.8k19102177
answered 2 hours ago
Joe BloggsJoe Bloggs
35.8k19102177
35.8k19102177
$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Accurate, nice imagery. +1
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.
Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.
answered 3 hours ago
Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins
31916
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.
Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.
answered 3 hours ago
Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins
31916
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.
Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.
answered 3 hours ago
Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins
31916
$endgroup$
Almost all of them. The terminal velocity of most insects isn't fast enough to generate the friction required to burn. The only issue would be a sustained lack of Oxygen, likely for several minutes depending on the height dropped, in the upper atmosphere. but seeing as you've hand-waved that problem it looks like your bugs are going to be just fine.
Edit: Just FYI this statement only applies if the insects are dropped from a stationary position (or at least relatively slow moving position) If they are traveling at 1000s of km/s they will likely be burnt to a crisp the moment they are released from whatever drop pod they are in.
answered 3 hours ago
Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins
31916
answered 3 hours ago
Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins
31916
answered 3 hours ago
Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins
31916
answered 3 hours ago
Jason DesjardinsJason Desjardins
31916
31916
2
$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Terminal velocity is determined by gravitational acceleration versus atmospheric friction. - in space there is no friction, acceleration would continue over time at 10 m/s/s without friction of an atmosphere. Terminal velocity would tend to the speed of light till it hit the atmosphere. What do you mean a "stationary position" - stationary relative to what?
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
Not an answer since it's only the first half, but since the heat is caused from friction with the air, and the friction is caused by speed, in theory slow enough moving insects wouldn't burn up. Now, I'd imagine it'd become an issue of how they'd slow themselves with the thin atmosphere, and I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer.
$endgroup$
– Nex Terren
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wrap them in some hand wavy bubble wrap type material that partially dissolves and reforms into a parachute once it reaches an altitude suitable for parachuting.
$endgroup$
– SlothsAndMe
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Are the insects supposed to reenter on their own, or with the help of e.g. pods or capsules?
$endgroup$
– Cadence
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@ Cadence - On their own.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Too short for an answer - none. You hit the atmosphere at 10,000 mph (near orbital velocity) and there wouldn't even be ashes left.
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– pojo-guy
3 hours ago