// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Re-Entry
The process of a spacecraft or missile returning from space into a planetary atmosphere.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Re-entry is the controlled or uncontrolled atmospheric descent of a spacecraft or ballistic missile from space, involving significant aerodynamic heating, drag, and deceleration, requiring robust thermal protection systems for crewed vehicles and payloads.
BACKGROUND
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute, established in 1989, is the aeronautics and space agency of South Korea. Its main laboratories are located in Daejeon, in the Daedeok Science Town. KARI's vision is to continue building upon indigenous launch capabilities, strengthen national safety and public service, industrialize satellite information and applications technology, explore the Moon, and develop environmentally-friendly and highly-efficient cutting-edge aircraft and core aerospace technology. Current projects include the KSLV-2 launcher. Past projects include the 1999 Arirang-1 satellite. The agency was founded in 1989. Prior to South Korea's entry into the Institute for Advanced Engineering (IAE) in 1992, it focused primarily on aerospace technology. As of May 2024, KARI is an affiliated research institute of the Korea AeroSpace Administration.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Atmospheric entry
- descent
- atmospheric interface
USAGE NOTE
Designing spacecraft for safe re-entry is a critical engineering challenge due to extreme heat and G-forces.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Re-Entry.
Develops reusable rocket stages (Falcon 9, Starship) and spacecraft designed for atmospheric re-entry and propulsive landings, advancing the technology for orbital and suborbital reusability.
Through various centers (e.g., Ames, Langley, Johnson), NASA conducts extensive research and development on re-entry vehicles, thermal protection systems (heat shields), hypersonic aerodynamics, and atmospheric braking for crewed and uncrewed missions.
Developing reusable launch vehicles like New Shepard and New Glenn, which require sophisticated re-entry and landing systems to return their booster stages safely to Earth.
Developing the Dream Chaser spaceplane, a reusable, lifting-body vehicle designed to transport cargo and potentially crew to and from low-Earth orbit, performing gentle runway landings after re-entry.
A prime contractor for various spacecraft, including NASA's Orion capsule, which is designed for high-speed atmospheric re-entry from lunar missions, and also involved in hypersonic flight and missile defense systems requiring advanced re-entry capabilities.
Involved in the development and operation of advanced space vehicles, including the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, a reusable spaceplane that performs autonomous re-entry and runway landings, demonstrating advanced re-entry technologies.
Conducts research and develops technologies for atmospheric re-entry, including experimental re-entry vehicles like IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle) to test advanced thermal protection and guidance systems.
Known for developing re-entry capsules for sample return missions (e.g., Hayabusa 1 & 2), demonstrating precise re-entry control and robust thermal protection for high-speed atmospheric deceleration.