Wiedereinflug

Wiedereinflug is a term used in German-speaking aviation and aerospace contexts to describe the act of re-entering a region after being outside it. The word combines wieder (again) and Einflug (entry) and is related to but not identical with Wiedereintritt, which is more commonly used for atmospheric re-entry by spacecraft. In practice, Wiedereinflug can refer to different situations depending on the domain.

In spaceflight, Wiedereinflug denotes the re-entry of a spacecraft into Earth's atmosphere after a mission in space. The process typically includes a deorbit maneuver to reduce orbital velocity, entry into the upper atmosphere, intense aerodynamic heating, deceleration, and the final descent using parachutes, thrusters, or landing systems. Guidance, thermal protection, and trajectory control are critical during this phase to ensure a safe landing.

In civil and military aviation, Wiedereinflug is used to describe the re-entry into controlled airspace after leaving it or after a flight that briefly operates outside established airspace boundaries. It usually entails coordination with air traffic control, adherence to separation standards, and compliance with relevant procedures for entering or re-entering a terminal or controlled zone. The term emphasizes the action of re-entering rather than the outward path.

Terminology varies by context; some authorities prefer Wiedereintritt for space re-entry and reserve Wiedereinflug for airspace contexts. The exact definition may differ between agencies, languages, and historical sources.