Originally Posted by
ATNotts_2
As a very non-scientific layman could someone explain why that would be?
I understand, I think, that the velocity would be higher because the capsule was being pulled in from outside low earth orbit, please correct me if I'm wrong. What I'm don't understand is why the craft isn't brought back into low earth orbit to slow it down to a similar speed to that which a Soyuz or Boeing capsule would re-enter the atmosphere on return from the ICC. If it were possible would there be any technical benefit in doing so?
The non-scientific explanation is that the capsule fell nearly straight down from 250,000+ miles high.
As mentioned, to slow it down to the same orbital speed it had before it left would require retaining that much fuel, 1000 pounds, and would have required an addition amount to lift the orbit to circle the Moon, and required more fuel in the various booster stages. Worse, that engine is using fuel and oxygen from liquified gas tanks. Keeping the hydrogen and oxygen liquified for the duration of the trip would likely require a much larger amount that would be vented off during the trip and would have to be accounted for as the reaction force from the expelled gas would have some effect on the path.
Even so, a heat shield is required at the lower speed.