Aerodynamic Brakes
Aerodynamic brakes, also known as air brakes or drag brakes, are a type of braking system used in aerospace engineering to slow down or control the speed of aircraft, spacecraft, or other vehicles by increasing their drag. They work by disrupting the airflow around the vehicle, which increases the drag force acting against its motion. This is achieved by deploying panels, flaps, or other structures into the airflow, which increases the vehicle's surface area and hence its drag. Aerodynamic brakes are particularly important in the descent and landing phases of flight, where they help to control the vehicle's speed and descent rate. They can also be used in space to deorbit spacecraft or to slow them down for reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. The design and operation of aerodynamic brakes require a deep understanding of fluid dynamics, materials science, and control systems.
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