18. Why doesn't the Shuttle burn up and melt when re-entering the atmosphere? Does it almost turn into a falling ball of fire? (A K2S Question)

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The orbiter is protected during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere by a very complex heat shield made up of thermal insulation and carbon ceramic tiles. This heat shield insulates the aluminum structure and keeps it from melting. "Ball of fire" is a good description of the air around the spacecraft. The kinetic energy at the tremendous re-entry speed causes the air to heat dramatically and dissociate into ions that glow brightly like a fire.

Answer provided by Jon H. Brown


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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