From: root@mauve.demon.co.uk   
      
   George  wrote:   
   > Mike Lepore wrote:   
   >   
   >> Someone please tell me why spacecraft are designed to reenter the   
   >> earth's atmosphere at high speed. Isn't there some way to come down   
   >> slowly, so the heat shields wouldn't be needed? Has anyone modeled   
   >> the idea of unfolding some large wings to add a lot of surface area,   
   >> or using propellers to resist falling, or parachutes? Thank you.   
   >   
   > why not desent on/near poles (Nort or south) where atmosphere is not so   
   > dence, and then fly like normal aircraft to Texas   
      
   The atmosphere is practically as dense at the north or south poles.   
   It would take several hundred times more fuel than is available to change   
   to an orbit that would reach the poles.   
   It would take signficant alterations to be able to fly that far.   
   Gliding isn't an option.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)