The drag acceleration overcomes the gravitational acceleration as you get deeper into the atmosphere, slowing the object down. The amount it slows is dependent on the drag coefficient, a function of mass and the area and ‘shape’ as seen by the ‘wind stream’.
You are thinking through the problem correctly. Now you have to apply the right numbers. But the bottom line is no rods from god.
I poked at wiki and google on the subject because I don’t understand where people get the notion that it works given the physics. The wiki description talked about starting from orbit at Mach 10, noted that drags slows that down “considerably”, then proceeds to talk about impact energy as if its still traveling at Mach 10. That’s really misleading the general public.
“The wiki description talked about starting from orbit at Mach 10, noted that drags slows that down “considerably””
Additional onboard thrust (engine) could also enhance impact speed.
Imagine a rod falling that creates a vacuum in front of it, giving it no air resistance whatsoever...kind of like a cavitating torpedo.
But what do I know...I run a t-shirt company.
In New Mexico...