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It did. Space shuttles are covered with various layers of ceramic heat resistant plating. Columbia however had a few of its tiles damaged by a falling piece of insulation during the launch. Normally a few tiles are not so much a problem. Because they were in such a critical zone on the wing (known as the "leading edge") , which endures the hottest of temperatures on re-entry, it caused uneven heat distribution leading to the breaking up of the craft in february 2003.

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What space shuttle disintegrated upon re-entering the earths atmosphere?

Space Shuttle Columbia


When the space shuttle reenters the earths atmosphere what does the pilot say over the radio it starts with goin through .......?

usten were coming home


How fast does a space shuttle reenter the earths atmosphere?

A space shuttle reenters the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of around 17,500 miles per hour. The high speed generates intense heat, which is why the shuttle needs heat shields to protect it during reentry. The spacecraft gradually slows down as it descends through the atmosphere.


Can the shuttle escape the earths atmosphere?

No it can't.


What does the shuttle pass through as it enters earths atmosphere?

The ozone layer.


Why doesn't the space shuttle burn up upon entering the eath's atmosphere?

The shuttle spacecraft does nort burn up at all when it does reenters the earths atmosphere, even of the heat. The reason is that there are all heat preventing tiles on the spacecraft from burning, and keeping the astronauts safe.


How high in the earths atmosphere does a space shuttle travel?

230 miles out into space


How hot does a space shuttle get when re enters earths atmosphere?

3,000+ F


How does the Space Shuttle reenter the Earth's atmosphere?

The shuttle maneuvers itself and burns it's OMS engines. This causes the shuttle to slow down to a point where the earths gravity can pull it back to earth. As the shuttle enters the high earth atmosphere it is slowed down as the atmosphere hits the craft heating it up. The shuttle then performs a series of 'S' turns slowing it down even further, until it reaches its final approach speed for landing.


Why do space shuttles heat up when they re-enter into the earths atmosphere?

When the shuttle goes from the vacuum of space and enters the earths atmosphere, it heats up because of simple friction. The friction is from the shuttle going so fast and hitting the atmosphere. Same reason you sometimes see meteor showers.


What is the name of the first space shuttle that traveled to earths orbit?

Columbia was the first shuttle to enter orbit. This was the same shuttle that was destroyed during re-entry in January 2003, with the loss of seven astronauts.


Why does a space shuttle need to travel so fast when entering earths atmosphere?

Although it reaches incredible speeds, a Space Shuttle is not going fast when it enters the atmosphere. The gravitational pull of Earth, or just gravity, are pulling down on the space shuttle with immense force.