From: ke4zv@bellsouth.net   
      
   On 21 Jun 2004 08:40:08 -0700, deja@celticbear.com (LRW) wrote:   
   >But it's my uneducated understanding that returning space craft, like   
   >all objects entering our atmosphere, super-heat from the friction of   
   >falling through our atmosphere.   
   >Which is why all crafts from Apollo to the space shuttles must have   
   >carefully crafted heat shields and enter at a VERY narrow angle to   
   >prevent either burn-up or "skipping" off the atmosphere.   
   >   
   >Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the commercial SpaceShipOne   
   >reach the very edge of the atmosphere? Doesn't it also need the   
   >observe the same careful considerations for reentry?   
   >If not, why? In simple "Physics for English Majors" language. =)   
      
   It was going very much slower than a re-entering orbital craft.   
   Top speed was Mach 3.   
      
   In other words, it was at relative rest with respect to the Earth at   
   the top of its arc while a re-entering orbital craft would be moving   
   5 miles per second or faster at that point.   
      
   Gary   
      
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