2006-08-30 19:33:36 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The orbiter is covered with ceramic insulating materials designed to protect it from this heat. The materials include:
-Reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) on the wing surfaces and underside
-High-temperature black surface insulation tiles on the upper forward fuselage and around the windows
-White Nomex blankets on the upper payload bay doors, portions of the upper wing and mid/aft fuselage
-Low-temperature white surface tiles on the remaining areas
These materials are designed to absorb large quantities of heat without increasing their temperature very much (i.e., high heat capacity).
2006-08-30 19:45:48 · answer #1 · answered by bcwestcoaster 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe its made out of silica (sand) if you're asking about the re entry shield because there are another 6 types a shields used in various locations outside the shuttle
2006-08-30 19:47:55 · answer #2 · answered by bryte 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nose and wing lead edged are made of reinforced carbon carbon (RCC) coated with aluminum and silica goot for temps well in excess of 3000 degrees F..
Two types of silica tiles are used for the rest. Black tiles resist heat to 2300 degrees F and white tiles to 1200 degrees F.
Nylon felt fills in the gaps between tiles and silicon rubber to glue the tiles on.
Titanium has too low a melting point... just over 3000 degrees F to be useful on the shields.
2006-08-30 19:48:15 · answer #3 · answered by Adam S. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I came across someone who thinks that a heat shield is needed because the upper atmosphere is very hot. Of course it is the speed of re-entry, not the temperature of the surrounding air, that makes a heat shield necessary.
2006-08-30 20:04:55 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's ceramic because ceramic doesn't conduct heat. When you think about it, the space shuttle is just a big fancy, mobile mud hut. Makes you think, huh?
2006-08-30 19:40:34 · answer #5 · answered by xenobyte72 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's made of a carbon composite based on how fast the shuttle will be travelling when it re-enters the atmosphere.
2006-08-30 19:43:42 · answer #6 · answered by spanishmarlena 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do not realize your question. the nice and cozy temperature preserve equipment on the area shuttles is composed of ceramic foam tiles, which have very low thermal conductivity. because of this, the outer floor of those tiles turns into white warm and radiates warmth out into the ambience.
2016-12-06 00:47:09 · answer #7 · answered by atwater 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They vary depending where abouts on the shuttle they are.
The black ones on the underside are a carbon composite material. Lightweight and quite brittle.
2006-08-30 19:47:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light weight ceramic tiles.
2006-08-31 10:04:56 · answer #9 · answered by Spanner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that it is a mixture of ceramic (for strength) and silicon (for heat protection).
2006-08-30 19:45:51 · answer #10 · answered by cman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋