Why is it so difficult for a returning spacecraft to re enter our atmosphere?

Its design is much lower in density than the space shuttle, once it has used up its fuel to get into orbit. So it slows down in the atmosphere at higher altitudes on the way down. What really matters is the mass per cross sectional area it presents to the atmosphere or more exactly, its ballistic coefficient.

What keeps spaceships from burning up during re-entry?

A variety of Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) is employed to prevent spaceships from preemptively burning. The heat shield is a reentry vehicle’s primary defense against the intense heat experienced as they fall through the atmosphere.

Why is it so hard to break through the atmosphere?

The issue is really gravity. Gravity holds the atmosphere on the Earth otherwise is would dissipate into space. The rocket does two things. It provides enough thrust to defeat the pull of gravity.

Why is space reentry so fast?

The usual approach to reentry is fast and hot. There’s a lot of energy to be lost, and doing it quickly has some advantages: You can dump energy into hypersonic air, and then leave that heat behind so that the hot part is over before the inside of the craft heats up.

How can I reduce the re-entry speed of a spacecraft?

So, you can reduce your re-entry speed by orbiting in the same direction that the Earth spins. However, that only helps a bit. Your spacecraft still has to travel at 16,500 mph relative to our atmosphere to stay in orbit.

Why can’t spacecrafts just slow down and come in gently?

Given the dangers of the massive heat generated during re-entry, why can’t spacecraft simply slow down using thrusters (or whatever) and just come in gently? Because propellant is extremely costly in orbit (as of now).

What is the maximum possible temperature for a Space Shuttle re-entry?

Space Shuttle re-entry: 1,650 °C (3000 °F). Skylon re-entry: 830 °C (1520 °F) – see section 4.3 of this paper. US SR-71 Blackbird supersonic spy plane which flew at Mach 3, – external temperatures for the titanium around its cockpit windows of 232 °C (450 °F) – see (page 18 of this report). Concorde 153°C (307°F) when flying at Mach 2.2.

What is the speed of re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere?

The Earth itself, with its atmosphere, is spinning eastward below you, at around 1,000 mph. So, you can reduce your re-entry speed by orbiting in the same direction that the Earth spins. However, that only helps a bit. Your spacecraft still has to travel at 16,500 mph relative to our atmosphere to stay in orbit.