reentry capsule

From Spacefaring




A reentry capsule is the portion of a space capsule which returns to Earth following a spaceflight. The shape is determined partly by aerodynamics; a capsule is aerodynamically stable falling blunt end first, which allows only the blunt end to require a heat shield for atmospheric entry. A crewed capsule contains the spacecraft's instrument panel, limited storage space, and seats for crew members. Because a capsule shape has little aerodynamic lift, the final descent is via parachute, either coming to rest on land, at sea, or by active capture by an aircraft. In contrast, the development of spaceplane reentry vehicles attempts to provide a more flexible reentry profile.

WikimediaWikidata
descent module; reentry module
reentry vehicle
AshkenazCalvinist Republic of GhentChinlandHavilahKingdom of Martabam-hongsawatoiKingdom of WolaitaPersiaSikh ConfederacySwedenTarshishDong Fang Hong 2Ekranreentry vehicleVBK-RadugaYantar-2K descent capsuleAtmospheric Reentry Demonstrator

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Location: KML, Cluster Map, Maps,
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  • Apollo Command Module
    American reentry capsule
  • Orion 001
    Orion Crew Module used in the Exploration Flight Test-1 mission
  • Orion 002
    Orion Crew Module used in the Artemis 1 mission
  • VBK-Raduga
    uncrewed reentry capsule used to return material from the Russian Mir space station
  • Yantar-2K descent capsule
    reentry capsule used by the Yantar-2K optical reconnaissance satellite
  • New Shepard capsule
    reusable spacecraft by Blue Origin used with the New Shepard rocket
  • Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator
    suborbital reentry test flown on the third Ariane 5 flight
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MER cruise stage diagramMER cruise stage diagram
Mk 2Mk 2
Mars Rover AeroshellMars Rover Aeroshell
OREX mockup in H-II rocket fairing 02 (cropped)OREX mockup in H-II rocket fairing 02 (cropped)
Mars Exploration Rover (MER) aeroshell, artistic renditionMars Exploration Rover (MER) aeroshell, artistic rendition
MER-incapsulatoMER-incapsulato
micro re-entry capsule MIRCAmicro re-entry capsule MIRCA
micro re-entry capsule MIRCAmicro re-entry capsule MIRCA
micro re-entry capsule MIRCAmicro re-entry capsule MIRCA
micro re-entry capsule MIRCAmicro re-entry capsule MIRCA
    TypeSubtypeDateDescriptionNotesSource
    classspace objectApollo Command Modulereentry capsule,Wikidata
    classspace objectOrion 001Orion, reentry capsule,Wikidata
    classspace objectOrion 002Orion, reentry capsule,Wikidata
    classspace objectVBK-Radugareentry capsule,Wikidata
    classspace objectYantar-2K descent capsulereentry capsule,Wikidata
    classspace object2012New Shepard capsulereentry capsule, reusable spacecraft,Wikidata
    classspaceflightAtmospheric Reentry Demonstratorreentry capsule, sub-orbital spaceflight,Wikidata
    commonsimageMER cruise stage diagram Commons
    commonsimageMk 2 Commons
    commonsimageMars Rover Aeroshell Commons
    commonsimageOREX mockup in H-II rocket fairing 02 (cropped) Commons
    commonsimageMars Exploration Rover (MER) aeroshell, artistic rendition Commons
    commonsimageMER-incapsulato Commons
    commonsimagemicro re-entry capsule MIRCA Commons
    commonsimagemicro re-entry capsule MIRCA Commons
    commonsimagemicro re-entry capsule MIRCA Commons
    commonsimagemicro re-entry capsule MIRCA Commons