The leading edges of the Shuttle, which get hottest during reentry, are protected by panels made of reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) that are fixed to the vessel's structural skeleton by floating joints to allow for differences in thermal expansion. The RCC panels can tolerate a maximum temperature of 1,630°C.
Space Shuttle Challenger failed during launch. Space Shuttle Columbia failed during reentry.
1.5
The leading edges of the Space Shuttle's wings get to almost 3000 deg F during a normal reentry into earth's atmosphere.
About 47,000 K
nothing. it blew up in reentry.
Space Shuttle Challenger failed during launch. Space Shuttle Columbia failed during reentry.
1.5
The leading edges of the Space Shuttle's wings get to almost 3000 deg F during a normal reentry into earth's atmosphere.
About 47,000 K
nothing. it blew up in reentry.
2003
Columbia
The space shuttle has a reentry speed of about 17,000 miles per hour.
The Space Shuttle Colombia disintegrated on reentry in 2003.
lift off orbit reentry
The space shuttle was designed to be a partially manned reusable launch and reentry system, transporting astronauts to and from space. Each shuttle was designed to handle at least 100 missions.
They are thermal heat protection tiles. They help the Space Shuttle withstand 3,000+ F during reentry.