The phrase "atmospheric friction" is a correct and usable part of written English.
It can be used in the context of discussing the resistance or drag caused by the Earth's atmosphere on objects moving within it. Example: "The spacecraft had to withstand high temperatures caused by atmospheric friction during its reentry into Earth's atmosphere."
"Fireballs occur when small — basketball-sized or Volkswagen-sized — asteroids enter the Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate from the atmospheric friction," Yeomans said in an email.
In these trajectories the spacecraft comes very close to the surface of the Earth, or other Solar system planets or moons, and, as a consequence, it experiences the effect of atmospheric friction by the outer layers of the Earth's atmosphere or ionosphere.
Moreover, at higher altitudes, airliners actually experienced less atmospheric friction, or drag, enhancing their performance and fuel efficiency.
The goal is to hit atmosphere dense enough to slow the spacecraft but not so thick that it overheats the craft's solar panel through increased atmospheric friction.
Its nose pointed upward at a 40-degree angle, exposing the underside of the fuselage and wings to the brunt of the heat from atmospheric friction.
To avert the problem, subsequent R.T.G.'s were wrapped in a thick metal shield that would stand up to the heat of atmospheric friction.
To do this, the radars must be able to measure the velocity of all the objects, because lightweight objects decelerate more rapidly than heavy objects due to atmospheric drag and friction.
The atmospheric effect of surface friction with winds aloft force surface winds to slow and back counterclockwise near the surface of the Earth blowing inward across isobars (lines of equal pressure), when compared to the winds in frictionless flow well above the Earth's surface.
The friction of the atmospheric plunge shattered the meteorite and produced a spectacular fireball arcing across the northern sky.
The syringes are gas tight and have minimal friction such that atmospheric pressure is sufficient to push the plunger in smoothly so that the breath sample is being drawn into the instrument at a constant flow.
Laboratory experiments suggest a higher rate of abrasion on Mars than on Earth due to the lower atmospheric pressure and subsequent higher saltation friction speeds33,34.
