But “the professionals” don’t agree. Most notably, the US Air Force says you’re an astronaut if you go above 80km (approx the start of the thermosphere), and NASA switched to that standard too. At 80-90km, you can sustain an elliptic orbit, and around 150km, you can sustain a circular orbit.
The 100km Karman line doesn’t signify anything, it’s just a nice multiple of 10 that’s pretty close to more important points. It’s not based on science, the original science by Karman was the highest theoretical height for an airplane, which was just over 80km, it’s just a nice number close to actual science.
So no, I’m not just going to accept 100km “because science.”
Are you an astrophysicist?
No, just your garden variety nerd.
I would go with what the professionals use.
But “the professionals” don’t agree. Most notably, the US Air Force says you’re an astronaut if you go above 80km (approx the start of the thermosphere), and NASA switched to that standard too. At 80-90km, you can sustain an elliptic orbit, and around 150km, you can sustain a circular orbit.
The 100km Karman line doesn’t signify anything, it’s just a nice multiple of 10 that’s pretty close to more important points. It’s not based on science, the original science by Karman was the highest theoretical height for an airplane, which was just over 80km, it’s just a nice number close to actual science.
So no, I’m not just going to accept 100km “because science.”
Ok