From: smithm@SPAMBLOCKnetapps.com.au.retro.com   
      
   On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 02:20:48 GMT   
   "Lizerd" <1@2.com.retro.com> wrote:   
      
   > Early on in the space program, the space capsule used brute force   
   > re-entry. IE: it slammed into the upper atmosphere at high speed to   
   > slow down for return.   
   > The space shuttle is a lifting body.   
   > Why can't it fly back???   
   > If the shuttle hit the atmosphere slower, use aero braking and descend   
   > at a shallower angle, the shuttle could return at a slower decent   
   > rate, and not be subjected to the high temptures.   
      
   It can't "hit the atmosphere slower" without first slowing down, and to do   
   that it has to aerobrake. All other ways of reducing velocity are just too   
   expensive in terms of mass.   
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   Michael Smith   
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