I like the idea of minimising weight by reusing one functional element as another. With this in mind, consider the enormous cost of sending each kg of matter into space.
Any equipment which has been used aboard eg a manned spacecraft, but which is not needed for the flight back, may well be dumped in space to burn up on re-entry. Today’s invention is an alternative approach.
A kiln made of ceramic tiles is engineered on the underside of a re-entry vehicle. Before descent, this is filled from inside the craft with any metal which would otherwise be jettisoned.
This material is melted and forced into moulds within the craft.
This might allow the vehicle to take off with no undercarriage and build one for itself before landing.
