[Sungirl]

It seems almost impossible to imagine going 12,500 mph. That in itself...must take a toll on the body.

And then they release their fuel during entry...

[El Gato]

It seems almost impossible to imagine going 12,500 mph. That in itself...must take a toll on the body.

It's not the speed itself, but the accelleration (G forces) required to get to that speed, or slow down from it, that are a might stressing, although nothing a 70 year old Senator couldn't take.