heat shield

noun

, Aerospace.

1. a coating or structure that surrounds part of the nose cone or other vulnerable surfaces of a spacecraft and, by heat absorption or ablation, protects them from excessive heating during reentry.

heat shield

noun

1. a coating or barrier for shielding from excessive heat, such as that experienced by a spacecraft on re-entry into the earth's atmosphere

heat shield

1. A barrier that prevents a substance from absorbing heat energy from an outside source by absorbing and dissipating, or simply reflecting, that heat. Heat shields are commonly used to protect parts of a device from heat generated by its energy source, as in isolating the cabin of a car from its motor. Many spacecraft dissipate heat generated by friction with the atmosphere upon reentry using heat shields that melt and vaporize, dissipating the energy back into the atmosphere.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heat shield¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

SpaceX upgraded the software and reworked the heat shield, improving the thermal tiles.

From Los Angeles Times

I think as the heat shield breaks away, and the floor below Fly and me drops, allowing my bottom cameras to view Mars for the very first time.

From Literature

But investigations into the capsule’s heat shield could delay their trip.

From Seattle Times

It will make a fireball in the sky as it does so, but a heat shield and parachutes will slow the descent and bring it into a gentle touchdown in Utah's West Desert.

From BBC

Last year’s test flight around the moon, with no one on board, resulted in unexpected charring and loss of material from the heat shield at the bottom of the capsule.

From Seattle Times