I swear to god this is a StarTrek Movie reference. Can't remember which one though?
Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock.
Kirk has to destroy the Enterprise to keep it from being captured by Klingons. The ship self destructs then the burning remains fall into the Genesis planet and begin burning up on entry.
Nah I'm figuring this a reference to the battle before Re-entry in Mobile Suit Gundam. Presuming Enterprise is the Gundam and not the Zaku who couldn't get back in time and got cooked!
