From: jeff.findley@ugs.nojunk.com   
      
   "Lizerd" <1@2.com.retro.com> wrote in message   
   news:4ofSc.425593$Gx4.392265@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...   
   > 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.   
      
   That's a fairly accurate description.   
      
   > The space shuttle is a lifting body.   
   > Why can't it fly back???   
      
   Because it first needs to shed most of it's orbital velocity before it can   
   "fly".  That means a re-entry very similar to that flown by capsules (a very   
   high angle of attack that generally presents the bottom of the orbiter to   
   the worst of the air flow instead of the nose).  Once the speed is low   
   enough, the shuttle lowers the angle of attack and transitions to gliding   
   flight.   
      
   > 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.   
      
   How exactly would you propose to shed this extreme orbital velocity?   
      
   Jeff   
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