> Do that exact maneuver on Earth and you'd get an 'unplanned rapid disassembly' during reentry thanks to the thicker atmosphere That is the planned Earth re-e

> Do that exact maneuver on Earth and you'd get an 'unplanned rapid disassembly' during reentry thanks to the thicker atmosphere That is the planned Earth re-entry maneuver. Belly first almost all the way down, using the heat shield on one side, then flipping and completely re-orienting near the ground so that the vehicle is pointed upwards, and then the final burn to land upright. But it does make sense that this path has arisen from a secondary capability: to land on planets or moons with less atmosphere. It still doesn't make me less nervous about their ability to pulli it off reliably. Here's hoping.