Final answer:
When a space shuttle reenters the atmosphere, friction heats and slows the shuttle as its kinetic energy is transformed into heat, necessitating protective heat shields and careful planning for fuel and structural integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a space shuttle reenters the atmosphere, a process described as friction occurs. As depicted in the reference material, when a spacecraft, such as the Apollo mission reentry capsule, plunges back into Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, the air in front of it gets compressed and heated up due to the rapid motion. This heat is then transferred to the shuttle, causing it to heat up and even glow red hot.
The action of the shuttle pushing against the air results in a deceleration of the spacecraft as the kinetic energy of the shuttle is converted into heat energy, a phenomenon that can be likened to how a fast-moving gas heats up when falling into a quasar.
Understanding this concept is essential for the successful design of heat shields that protect the shuttle and its occupants from the intense heat generated during reentry. Moreover, it is an important factor to consider when calculating fuel requirements and the physical stresses on the spacecraft when reentering the Earth's atmosphere after a mission.