If it flew with no thermal protection, the spacecraft would survive reentry but would be damaged.
Parts which survived reentry splashed into the Pacific Ocean.
"But with the damage that ship has taken, it will not survive reentry."
Perhaps it's too badly damaged to survive reentry.
This was theoretically a good way to survive reentry, particularly for a lightweight reusable vehicle.
The intent was for them to survive reentry into Earth's atmosphere.
Col. East was with the cargo, checking it carefully to make sure it had survived reentry without mishap.
Four of the mice survived reentry.
It was large enough that it might survive reentry and pose a threat to those on the ground.
We won't survive reentry, Pauli thought bleakly, and glanced at the captain.