heat shield
noun
: a barrier of ablative material to protect a space capsule from heat on its entry into an atmosphere
Examples of heat shield in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To avoid the fate of the mythological Greek figure Icarus, the spacecraft comes with a heat shield that will keep its sensitive instruments just above room temperature, at roughly 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
—
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
The probe is equipped with a 4.5-inch-thick heat shield made of a carbon-composite material, which can withstand temperatures up to 2,500 F while keeping the spacecraft instruments at a comfortable temperature, despite its proximity to our roiling star.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
The news of the delay comes after a lengthy investigation into issues related to the Orion spacecraft's heat shield that were uncovered during an uncrewed test mission in late 2022.
—Brendan Byrne, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
The new design is focused on rapid reusability, with easier access and serviceability to components of the engines and heat shield.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heat shield
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
The probe is equipped with a 4.5-inch-thick heat shield made of a carbon-composite material, which can withstand temperatures up to 2,500 F while keeping the spacecraft instruments at a comfortable temperature, despite its proximity to our roiling star.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
The news of the delay comes after a lengthy investigation into issues related to the Orion spacecraft's heat shield that were uncovered during an uncrewed test mission in late 2022.
—Brendan Byrne, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
The new design is focused on rapid reusability, with easier access and serviceability to components of the engines and heat shield.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heat shield
Articles Related to heat shield
Cite this Entry
“Heat shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20shield. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share