ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

NASA reentry prototypes

NASA is an organization that builds things to go up into space. Sometimes, they need to bring things back down to Earth, like astronauts or special equipment. When they do this, they need to make sure that what they bring back doesn't crash and break into a million pieces.

So, NASA creates special things called reentry prototypes to bring things back down safely. These prototypes are made of special materials that can withstand a lot of heat and pressure that happen when things fall through the Earth's atmosphere. Picture a really strong shield that can protect objects when they travel really fast through the air!

The prototypes are designed with special shapes that allow them to slide through the air at a slower speed. When objects come back through the Earth's atmosphere, the air gets really hot and that can damage things. But the prototypes are designed to create a layer of cool air around the object, protecting it from the hot air outside.

Overall, reentry prototypes are like really strong and special boxes that keep things safe and sound when they return from space.