Tile, Space Shuttle Insulation, Black

Object Details

Manufacturer

Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.

Summary

Black reusable insulation tiles shielded the entire underside of the Space Shuttle orbiter, as well as portions of the vertical tail, wings, and forward and aft fuselage where temperatures reached 1,200-2,300 degrees F (650-1,260 degrees C) during re-entry into the atmosphere. About 23,000 High-Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation (HRSI) tiles were used on those areas of the Shuttle that sustained very high temperatures during descent. Each tile had a unique part number and shape related to its precise location on the orbiter. This tile was meant to be placed on the wings' lower elevons.

NASA transferred a number of unused tiles to the Museum when the Shuttle program ended in 2012.

Credit Line

Transferred from National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Inventory Number

A20140009000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Parts & Structural Components

Materials

Ceramic Bonded Silica Fiber

Glass Coating

Nomex Felt

Vucanized Silicone (RTV)

Adhesive

Plastic

Paint

Paper

Ink

Dimensions

3-D: 12.1 × 13.3 × 5.1cm (4 3/4 × 5 1/4 × 2 in.)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

National Air and Space Museum

Record ID

nasm_A20140009000

Metadata Usage (text)

Not determined

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv976b0e421-00b8-4d35-a1db-4233ea6dcb14