Long-range missiles use the same orbital mechanics as spacecraft to reenter the atmosphere
Intermediate-range ballistic missiles harness the same physics as orbiting satellites, reaching speeds of 6 kilometers per second and soaring through the vacuum of space before plunging back to Earth.
A ballistic missile is essentially a spacecraft on a temporary journey. To travel 4,000 kilometers, these missiles must reach an apogee of up to 1,000 kilometers, placing them well within the zone where satellites orbit. Guided by Newton's laws of motion, they maintain incredible horizontal velocities in the vacuum of space before reentering the atmosphere at speeds exceeding 21,000 kilometers per hour.
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