The first stage rocket doesn&#x27;t go nearly as high or as fast as the shuttle though, no? AFAIK the shuttle had to have its heat shield replaced after each return trip, and it landed aerodynamically rather than via rocket power. I&#x27;d presume that the powered descent of the first stage means that it doesn&#x27;t need any sort of heat shielding, at the expense of more stress on the engines, thus requiring a bespoke inspection process.