He was the first to calculate that around this altitude , the atmosphere becomes too thin to support aeronautical flight , because a vehicle at this altitude would have to travel faster than orbital velocity to derive sufficient aerodynamic lift to support itself ( neglecting centrifugal force ) .
He was the first to calculate that around this altitude , the atmosphere becomes too thin to support aeronautical flight . An aircraft at this altitude would have to travel faster than orbital velocity to obtain enough lift to support itself .