Mike Lepore wrote:

Someone please tell me why spacecraft are designed to reenter the
earth's atmosphere at high speed. Isn't there some way to come down
slowly, so the heat shields wouldn't be needed? Has anyone modeled
the idea of unfolding some large wings to add a lot of surface area,
or using propellers to resist falling, or parachutes? Thank you.

why not desent on/near poles (Nort or south) where atmosphere is not so
dence, and then fly like normal aircraft to Texas