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.
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