Existing comment:
Insulation tile from space shuttle Columbia
1981
These heat shields and insulation tile protected the reentry vehicles and astronauts inside from the searing heat (up to 1260 degrees C or 2300 degrees F) of reentering the earth's atmosphere. The heat shields used during the Gemini missions were meant to be used only once -- note the charring on the used shield. The tiles on space shuttles are designed to be used on multiple missions. |