Manual Control System in Focus for Safer Spacecraft Re-entry

Astronauts and scientists are working on a backup system to help astronauts control spacecraft during re-entry to Earth's atmosphere.

Re-entry is tricky because the spacecraft can overheat or skip off the atmosphere if not done correctly.

The new system would allow astronauts to manually steer the spacecraft if the automatic controls fail.

This system uses a special way of controlling the spacecraft called bank-angle manipulation, which is like what the automated systems use, but adjusted for humans.

It gives pilots important information so they can land safely.

This is meant to be a backup, like having a spare parachute, making the mission safer.