XPost: sci.space.shuttle   
   From: twomack@chiark.greenend.org.uk   
      
   In article <1122575549.091205.19130@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,   
     wrote:   
   >I think I understand why objects heat up when going through the   
   >atmosphere and therefore why re-entry vehicles need heat shielding.  My   
   >question is why we don't need heat shielding when launching.  Aren't we   
   >going through the same atmosphere?   
      
   There have, I believe, been vehicles built that needed heat-shields   
   when launching.  But they were missile interceptors (I think _Nike_   
   was one), for which it was absolutely critical to get up to the   
   position of the incoming missile as fast as possible; you did a very   
   fierce burn while right down at the bottom of the atmosphere.   
      
   Tom   
      
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