Reentry

/ˌɹiˈɛntɹi/ noun

Definition

The act of returning or entering something again; especially the return of a spacecraft into Earth's atmosphere.

Etymology

From 're-' (again) plus 'entry' (from Latin 'intrare,' to enter). The space program made this term famous when discussing spacecraft returning from orbit.

Kelly Says

When NASA spacecraft reenter Earth's atmosphere at 17,000 miles per hour, they get so hot (hotter than the surface of the sun!) that they need special heat shields—it's the most dangerous moment of any space mission!

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