I have to disagree that it has any place outside of a speculative mention within this article.  This is mostly because all of the science surrounding powered descents without heatshields due involve the concept of a tethered descent.  All of the science regarding this topic is contained within the topic of the space elevator.  This includes the material concerns, robotics, energy transfer to power the climbers, etc.  Even more notable is that all the talk on this topic mostly concerns ascension, ie placing satellites into orbit.  Very little is concerned about or researched on the topic of descension with a space elevator.  Mind I call it a space elevator because this is the recognized term used to describe it within technical circuits, including NASA and other research institutions.  I agree that the idea is a possibility within 200 years for a powered descent without heat shielding,  but as of now, there is simply no research, talk or even speculation on any project to even look into it.  Thus, a mention at best within the article.
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