Part 8/12:
The spacecraft’s re-entry phase was characterized by intense plasma and visible light displays, with the vehicle passing through peak heating and Max Q—standard metrics indicating the vehicle is subjected to its highest thermal and aerodynamic loads. As it slowed down from hypersonic speeds (over Mach 25), the vehicle executed a series of banking maneuvers designed to mimic future return-to-launch-site procedures, including the belly flop maneuver that allows control and deceleration.