You are likely thinking of the High-temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI) tiles. These are part of the larger thermal protection system (TPS) which also includes the Low-temperature Reusable Surface Insulation (LRSI) tiles, Toughened unipiece fibrous insulation (TUFI) tiles as well as the Felt reusable surface insulation (FRSI) blankets and Flexible Insulation Blankets (FIB).
There are tiles on the entire space shuttle. Every square inch is covered in tiles. The nose, bottom and leading edges of the space shuttle have black tiles while the rest of the space shuttle has white tiles. The nose leading edges and the bottom of the shuttle are the portions of the shuttle that get the most friction/heat from the atmosphere during re-entry.
They block heat from entering the shuttle.
The space shuttle tiles were bonded to the shuttle's skin using a unique adhesive called "Columbus Polymer." This adhesive was specifically developed to withstand the extreme temperatures of space reentry and provide thermal protection to the shuttle.
During its second flight (STS-2), the space shuttle Columbia lost two thermal protection tiles. These tiles were on the underside of the orbiter and were dislodged during liftoff.
They are thermal heat protection tiles. They help the Space Shuttle withstand 3,000+ F during reentry.
More than 20,000 tiles fit on a space shuttle.
There are tiles on the entire space shuttle. Every square inch is covered in tiles. The nose, bottom and leading edges of the space shuttle have black tiles while the rest of the space shuttle has white tiles. The nose leading edges and the bottom of the shuttle are the portions of the shuttle that get the most friction/heat from the atmosphere during re-entry.
25,000
They block heat from entering the shuttle.
The tiles on the space shuttle form a heat shield. The shuttle enters the Earth's atmosphere at high speed, which creates very high temperatures that would burn up the vehicle if it was not protected.
The space shuttle tiles were bonded to the shuttle's skin using a unique adhesive called "Columbus Polymer." This adhesive was specifically developed to withstand the extreme temperatures of space reentry and provide thermal protection to the shuttle.
During its second flight (STS-2), the space shuttle Columbia lost two thermal protection tiles. These tiles were on the underside of the orbiter and were dislodged during liftoff.
Space Shuttle.
They are thermal heat protection tiles. They help the Space Shuttle withstand 3,000+ F during reentry.
approximately 30 000.
There are over 24,000 heat-resistant tiles on a space shuttle, designed to protect the vehicle during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. These tiles are made from materials like silica fibers and ceramics to withstand the extreme temperatures experienced during re-entry.
Space shuttle tiles are primarily made from a material called LI-900, which is a type of lightweight ceramic that is resistant to high temperatures. These tiles are designed to protect the spacecraft from the intense heat generated when reentering Earth's atmosphere.