It just doesn't seem right that the very sparse air molecules could get so hot, but metal couldn't reach the same temperature. This is the sun we're talking about.
But I can't make my own sun and test this for myself down here on earth...
So a lack of mass (sparse air molecules) is easily heated up to 4500 degrees Fahrenheit because there isn't very much radiation needed to do it. Whereas you would need a lot more radiation to melt steel as it's mass is massive in comparison. Correct?
So this satellite is flying through all these super-hot air molecules, but it's cooling down way faster than heating up. Where is that heat going? If there isn't any air up there that isn't super-hot.
You really need to study the difference between radiated heat and conducted heat. That's your hang-up
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