Effect of the shape of a small object from outer space on its fragmentation in a planetary atmosphere

The fragmentation of a small object from outer space in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped in a planetary atmosphere is examined. The model for the interaction of an object with an atmosphere and its fragmentation developed by the authors is used in calculations of the Sikhote-Alin' meteoroid as an example. The results are close to analogous calculations for a spheroidal meteoroid and agree satisfactorily with actual data. This suggests that the shape of a small object from outer space has little effect on its fragmentation in a planetary atmosphere.