Spacecraft heat shields use the same basic chemistry as common beach sand
The same silica found in common beach sand serves as the primary defense for spacecraft returning to Earth, insulating them against temperatures that reach a staggering 1,650 degrees Celsius.
Spacecraft heat shields rely on the remarkable properties of silica, the primary component of beach sand. When refined into high-purity ceramic fibers, this material creates a lightweight tile that is 90 percent air. Its extremely low thermal conductivity is so effective that a person can safely hold the edge of a white-hot tile just seconds after it is removed from a furnace.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz