why is atmosphere reentry such an issue? If it is just because of speed hitting the atmosphere why can’t the spacecraft just slow down before and synchronise with earth rotation?
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Slowing down for reentry means carrying fuel for the slowdown and the maneuvering. That fuel is spend at the end of the mission, hence it must be carried and accelerated around throughout the mission as well. The fuel mechanics are a big big problem for space flight.
Surfing on the atmosphere, while dissipating kinetic energy through heat, seems the most fuel efficient way to slow down.
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