Ablative Heat Shields
Ablative heat shields are a type of thermal protection system used on spacecraft and re-entry vehicles to protect them from the intense heat generated during atmospheric re-entry. The heat shield is designed to gradually erode or ablate away as it is heated, carrying the heat away from the spacecraft and preventing it from reaching the sensitive equipment and crew inside. The material used for ablative heat shields is typically a composite of carbon fibers and a resin binder, which is designed to char and release gases as it is heated, forming a protective layer of gas around the spacecraft. Ablative heat shields are commonly used on spacecraft that re-enter the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, such as the Apollo spacecraft and the Space Shuttle.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Sensors: In the context of space and astronautical engineering, sensors are devices that detect and measure physical properties such as temperature, pressure, radiation, and magnetic fields. Sensors are crucial components of spacecraft and satellite ... Read More >>
- Protons: Protons are positively charged subatomic particles that are found in the nucleus of an atom. In space and astronautical engineering, protons are commonly used as a source of energy in spacecraft propulsion systems. Proton engines work by ac ... Read More >>
- Prosthetics: Prosthetics is the branch of space and astronautical engineering that deals with the design, development, and implementation of artificial limbs and other body parts to replace or enhance the function of missing or damaged body parts. In sp ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06