KARMAN
LINE – SCI & TECH
News: Karman Line: Where space begins
What's
in the news?
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Boundaries play an important role in
science because they help differentiate and define things that might otherwise
blend together.
Key
takeaways:
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One such boundary is the Kármán Line.
Located at 100 km above sea level,
it is an imaginary line that demarcates the earth’s atmosphere from space.
Karman
Line:
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The Kármán line, 62 miles above ground, is the boundary of space recognized by the
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), a Swiss organization that sets
global rules for air sports.
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It was named after aerospace pioneer
Theodore von Kármán.
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The Karman Line is an imaginary line that demarcates the earth’s atmosphere from space.
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It is located 100KM (62 miles) above mean
sea level.
Features:
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The Kármán line is an attempt to define a
boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.
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It is set at the altitude at which Earth’s
atmosphere becomes too thin to support aeronautical flight.
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The Kármán line has been compared to
international waters, as there are no national boundaries and human laws in
force beyond the line. Above this level, there would be free space.
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Anyone individual who crosses this line
qualifies as an astronaut.
Significance:
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The Kármán Line is essential for regulating airspace, as it indicates
the altitude beyond which traditional aircraft cannot fly without a propulsion
system.
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It also serves as a legal reference for
distinguishing national airspace from international space, much like
international waters.