Atmospheric entry and fragmentation of dense meteoroids

Fragmentation characteristics for four artificial meteoroids of high density and high tensile strength with varying size, velocity, and material are investigated. The meteoroids analyzed were lifted to natural meteor altitude by a rocket vehicle system. The meteoroids were then accelerated back into the Earth's atmosphere at natural meteor velocities. Anomalous deceleration of high density meteors was studied. It is shown that anomalies in the deceleration are due to progressive fragmentation of the meteoroids. These anomalies in the deceleration of high density meteoroids are similar to the anomalies that occur in the deceleration of natural meteors, which are generally assumed to be porous and of weak structure.