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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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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Anonymous 0 Comments

The atmosphere is much denser than space. You literally have to shove into it, and then gravity grabs you. Friction causes everything to heat up like crazy, and they couldn’t afford the extra weight to have leftover gas for re-entry.

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