The influence of internal friction on the deformation of a damaged meteoroid

It is shown that the inclusion of the effect of internal friction on the deformation of a damaged meteoroid leads to a marked (by 10–20 km) decrease in the height of the meteoroid deceleration and, hence, the height of the energy release. The possible decrease of the role of internal friction due to “acoustic fluidization” and the penetration of impact-compressed gas through the cracks in the interior of the damaged meteoroid are discussed.