ive seen the veritasium video before,

[dire spade]

I don't remember exactly. I wonder if it's called "intermediate" axis because it's the one between the other two. It's aka the 2nd of the 3 principle moments of inertia. I think that means the 2nd of the 3 if you sort them by their inertia. Longitudinal is the one with lowest, and I think the normal axis is the one with the highest.

Found this when searching

[clear eagle]

I wonder if it's called "intermediate" axis because it's the one between the other two.
yeah, in terms of moment of inertia

but something like a cylinder only has a distinct longitudinal axis, the other two are basically the same

[dire spade]

^ yes and a rocket too

[clear eagle]

oh yeah in my mind i was thinking of the shuttle which still had wings

a normal rocket would fit that much better than a submarine

[dire spade]

The shuttle, have you seen the astronout ted talk about landing the shuttle from space? And how it has the aerodynamical properties of a brick?

[clear eagle]

i have not, that sounds hilarious

[dire spade]

Okay so not a TED talk apparently, but it's pure science comedy, and really insightful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb4prVsXkZU&ab_channel=Bret

And not an astronaut instead, just a science nerd My memory is getting sloppy

[clear eagle]

beautiful