Space Shuttle thermal protection system

"Gap fillers" redirects here. For devices used to reduce gaps between trains and train platforms, see Gap filler.
The Kuiper Airborne Observatory took an infrared image of the underside of Columbia during the reentry of STS-3 to study temperatures. The orbiter was 56 kilometers (184,000 ft) high and travelling at Mach 15.6.
Space Shuttle Discovery as it approaches the International Space Station during the STS-114 on 28 July 2005.

The Space Shuttle thermal protection system (TPS) is the barrier that protected the Space Shuttle Orbiter during the extreme 1,650 °C (3,000 °F) heat of atmospheric reentry. A secondary goal was to protect from the heat and cold of space while in orbit.[1]

  1. ^ Jenkins, Dennis R. (2007). Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System. Voyageur Press. p. 524 pages. ISBN 978-0-9633974-5-4.