Pitch up from the artificial horizon, or from the atmosphere (Best Guess).
Im using SSRSS which resizes RSS to Stockish Size. Space starts at 100km on a kerbin sized earth in this mod, so its a bit interesting to say the least.
Pitched at 20 degrees, the nose heats up and my active radiators save it about 80% of the time, pitched at 40 degrees and the whole plane heats up, my engines explode, then the wings, then the rest of the craft. Interestingly enough, the cockpit often survives, and i have added chutes to it. but loosing 90% of the shuttle for a pod landing with shuttle cockpit is a bit....sad.
Notice the heat shields i have added to the underside to keep the cockpit alive. Suppose i could do that to the whole shuttle....