Methods of Reentry

Reentering an atmosphere has always been an issue for any transport going to or coming from space. However, two techniques do exist for entering an atmosphere.

Thermal Umbra
Thermal Umbras are disposable reentry shields, held several inches from the ship via magnets, designed to take the heat of a reentry reaction into a hot gas. This hot gas vents outward and away from the ship, creating a pressure-wave which protects the shield itself from being in direct contact with reentry heat.

Thermal Umbras are relatively inexpensive, but have been known to fail on rare occasions. Most ships which routinely reenter an atmoshpere usually have a skin made of a second thermal umbra for additional protection.

Orbital Stalling
Orbital Stalling is a manouver to avoid ever confronting reentry temperatures, although it requires significant fuel use. A pilot fires the ship's engines to slow orbital velocities to an effective stop, allowing the ship to return to Earth in a free fall. A second burn shortly before contact with the atmoshpere slows and controls the fall until atmospheric controls can take over.