What is the term for the return of a space craft into Earth's atmosphere and descent?

The term for the return of a spacecraft into Earth's atmosphere and descent is "re-entry." This process involves the spacecraft re-entering the atmosphere at high velocities, which generates significant heat due to friction with air molecules. The design of spacecraft for re-entry is crucial, as they must be able to withstand extreme temperatures and forces during this phase of their mission.

Re-entry typically occurs after the spacecraft has completed its mission in space, such as after a satellite has been deployed or after a crewed mission is completed. It is a critical and carefully controlled phase of a space mission, requiring precise calculations and robust engineering to ensure the safety of both the spacecraft and its occupants.

The other terms relate to different aspects of space travel. "Launch" refers to the process of sending a spacecraft into orbit, "ascent" involves the upward movement of the spacecraft as it leaves the Earth's surface, and "descent" could describe the downward movement but does not specifically refer to re-entering the atmosphere, which is essential for the accurate identification of this particular phase of space travel.