Why can’t the space shuttle just go slow enough to not be heated up by friction with earths atmosphere on re-entry?

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Why can’t the space shuttle just go slow enough to not be heated up by friction with earths atmosphere on re-entry?

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OP HERE: These comments have all been very useful. Thanks to everyone! I think I get it now, more or less. To summarize, it’s all about fuel weight. The shuttle couldn’t carry enough fuel to slow down the amount it’d need to, right?

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